NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Wolves entered tonight's match looking to end a three-game skid against one of the top teams in the conference in Tusculum. Unfortunately for the hosts they found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard, falling 3-1 to the Pioneers. With the loss Newberry falls to 10-6 overall and 3-4 in the SAC while Tusculum improves its record to 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the SAC.

“Tusculum played a very good defensive game tonight,” said head coach David Nicholson. “We had a bunch of attempts that looked great but Tusculum really put their athleticism on display tonight. I'm pleased that we kept fighting and our fans were great tonight.”

Things started off well for the hosts as they took an early 3-1 lead in the first set. A service ace from Haylee Adkins (Birmingham, Ala.) and a kill from Samantha Parrish (Angola, Ind.) would push the lead to three with a 9-6 tally before a Tusculum run changed the face of the set. The Wolves fell victim to a number of errors during the 6-0 Pioneer run and that was all the visitors needed to ensure a victory. The Wolves would never lead again and hit only .056 in the set to fall into a 1-0 hole.

It was apparent that the scarlet and gray were on their heels in the opening minutes of the second set. Tusculum opened up with a 5-1 score and would lead comfortably en route to a 2-0 match lead. The Wolves committed nine errors and hit .036 in the second set.

With their backs against the wall, the Wolves would come out swinging in the third set. With the score deadlocked at 18, Newberry went on a 4-1 run instigated by a kill from Kara Harris (Grandview, Texas). Kills from Parrish, Anne Staudinger (Fort Wayne, Ind.) and Leah Nye (Hoover, Ala.) would seal the set for Newberry and pave the way for an interesting fourth set.

Newberry had a rough start, falling into a 6-1 hole rather quickly. The hosts battled back though to tie things up at 8-each courtesy of another Adkins service ace and kills from Parrish and Nye. The teams would exchange points and Newberry had a 16-15 lead but the Wolves' momentum was quelled by a debatable call. Staudinger let fly a kill attempt which appeared to land inside the area of play but was called out. The astonished crowd quickly voiced their displeasure with the call as did Nicholson who was assessed a yellow card. The set would continue and things were knotted up again at 20 before the Pioneers closed out the match with a 5-0 run. Three Newberry errors assisted the Pioneers during their final push.

Parrish played a sensational match, accumulating a match-high 18 kills to go along with 14 digs, a block solo and a pair of block assists. Staudinger posted 11 kills and accrued four assists and a dig.

Things don't get any easier for the Wolves as they hit the road for a pair of difficult conference tests next weekend. Friday (Oct. 8) will see the Wolves take on Wingate - a team that hasn't lost a SAC regular season match in four years. The pack will then travel to Catawba College on Saturday (Oct. 9) to take on the Indians. The matches will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and 5 p.m. on Saturday.