SALISBURY, N.C. - Although three Wolves reached double figures in kills, 31 attack errors prevented Newberry from putting the brakes on a season long five match losing streak as they fell to Catawba 3-2. Catawba improves to 8-9 overall and 3-6 in the South Atlantic Conference while the scarlet and gray descend to 10-9 overall and 3-6 in the conference.

“Whatever we have against the fifth set, we need to get over that soon,” said head coach David Nicholson. “Our attack was off and we let them have a big run and unfortunately that was the thing that decided the match.”

The first set was close through the halfway point, featuring 11 ties and six lead changes. With the score 14-all the Wolves made their move and took the lead for good. A kill each from Sam Parrish (Angola, Ind.) and Leah Nye (Hoover, Ala.) coupled with a pair of attack errors from the Indians would kick start an 11-5 run that gave the visitors a 25-19 win and a 1-0 edge in the match.

Catawba recaptured the momentum in the second frame by opening up a quick 4-1 advantage. The Wolves would battle back to even things up three times throughout the remainder of the set but that was as close as the Indians would let them get. Trailing 18-17, the Wolves allowed the Indians to go on a 6-1 run to effectively seal the second set and turn the match into a 1-1 deadlock.

The scarlet and gray tried to regain the momentum, and during the onset of the third set it looked like they had done just that. Kills by Anne Staudinger (Fort Wayne, Ind.), Sarah Scott (Redding, Calif.), Blair Browning (New Lexington, Ohio) and Nye would allow the Wolves to jump out to a 9-6 lead. After Catawba called time they went on a 6-1 run to take control of the set permanently. A pair of service errors down the stretch for the Wolves didn't assist them in falling into a 2-1 hole.

Set four saw Newberry take control early and never lose control of the set. The Wolves hit .244 compared to the .139 mark put up by the Indians. Things got dicey as the visitors almost relinquished a 24-19 lead but Newberry held on for a 25-22 triumph, paving the way for a fight for the match not only against the Indians but against their old foe the fifth set as well.

The Wolves got off to a strong start in the fifth thanks to Kara Harris (Grandview, Texas) and Scott kills. Unfortunately those were some of the sole bright spots for the scarlet and gray in a tough set. An Indian kill on the ensuing point was the catalyst for a 9-2 run that would send the Wolves reeling. Parrish rattled off a pair of kills to bring the deficit down to 9-6 but that was as close as the Wolves would get. Newberry could muster only one more kill and would go on to drop set five via a 15-7 tally.

Parrish led the scarlet and gray, posting 16 kills and completed her double-double with 16 digs. The 5-11 freshman also added four block assists.

Scott had one of her strongest performances of the season, racking up 15 kills to go with a service ace, a pair of digs and a block assist.

Harris would round out the main scoring threats for the Wolves with 14 kills and she was also able to complete her double-double by adding 12 digs. The senior also chipped in three service aces, a pair of assists and a block assist.

Browning led the way in the assist category for Newberry, dispensing 44.

Nadia Andrade (Belo Horizonte, Brazil) accumulated a team-high 18 digs in the five set match.

The Wolves will head to Anderson to take on the Trojans next Tuesday (Oct. 12). The SAC match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.