WINGATE, N.C. - The Newberry College Wolves came close to pulling out the upset of the year in Division II volleyball, as the Wolves took the 7th ranked Wingate Bulldogs to only their second five set match of the season. Only 17th ranked Armstrong State has taken the Bulldogs that far, giving Wingate their sole loss on the year. Wingate has given up only nine sets on the year, with five coming in South Atlantic Conference play and the Wolves own three.

Newberry falls to 12-13 overall and 6-11 in South Atlantic Conference play. Wingate moves to 24-1 on the year and a perfect 17-0 in SAC play.  

Newberry did not get off to a great start as the Bulldogs pounced on the Wolves 25-11 with a .375 hitting percentage. The Wolves were wounded but did not lay down. They came back to take hard fought wins in the second and third frames 25-22 and 26-24, respectively. Newberry amassed eight service aces during that stretch which made the difference in the scores. 

Wingate came out with a vengenace in the fourth set and routed the Wolves 25-10. However, the Wolves would not go down without a fight. Facing a four point deficit, Newberry mounted a comeback to cut the score to 12-10, but Wingate scored four straight points to wrap up the match and their 24th win.

Senior Holly Brisson paced the offense for Newberry as she hit .219 and put down 10 kills while fellow senior Jessica King added eight of their own. Sophomore Madison Darby-McClure and Logan Hayward each totaled seven kills apiece with Darby-McClure hitting .400 for the match in 15 attacks. Junior setter Rachel Moran picked up her fourth double-double of the year with 11 digs and 17 assissts. Libero Elayni Stokes picked up 19 digs.

The Wolves return to Eleazer Arena next Friday, October 31st, for senior night as they host the Queens University of Charlotte Royals.