Wingate Captures Sixth-Straight Food Lion SAC Volleyball Championship

HARROGATE, TENN. - For the sixth-consecutive season, Wingate has won the Food Lion SAC Volleyball Championship, defeating Catawba 3-1 on Sunday afternoon in the title match. The victory earns the Bulldogs an automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championship, and improves their record to a perfect 30-0.

Wingate, the Championship's No. 1 seed, opened Sunday's action by winning the first set, 25-20, but second-seeded Catawba answered by taking the next set to even the match.

The pivotal third set went back and forth throughout, eventually reaching a 20-20 tie. However, the Bulldogs closed strong for a 25-22 victory, then cruised in the fourth set by a count of 25-12, clinching the championship.

Wingate was led by senior Liz Willis, who tallied 52 assists in the title match, earning Most Valuable Player honors. The MVP accolade completed a sweep of the SAC's major individual awards for Willis, as the senior was named the conference's Player of the Year and Scholar Athlete of the Year last week.

Willis was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Grace Krauser and Maggie Malone. Krauser, a member of the All-SAC Second Team, led Wingate with 16 kills in Sunday's match, while Malone recorded 24 digs.

Catawba's Shay Meeks was equally as impressive in a losing effort on Sunday, finishing the match with a team-high 16 kills. She was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with teammate Jenny Young, who led the Indians with 42 digs against Wingate. Both were members of the All-Conference Second Team.

Rounding out the All-Tournament Team were Tusculum's Sam Underwood and Mars Hill's Marissa Wixson.

While Wingate's spot in the NCAA Division II Volleyball is secure, the rest of the SAC will learn its postseason fate on Sunday night when the bracket is announced on a live ncaa.com selection show at 10 p.m.

2011 Food Lion SAC Championship All-Tournament Team

Shay Meeks, Catawba
Jenny Young, Catawba
Marissa Wixson, Mars Hill
Sam Underwood, Tusculum
Grace Krauser, Wingate
Maggie Malone, Wingate
Liz Willis, Wingate (MVP)