NEWBERRY - The Newberry Wolves turned up the heat in the middle of the match, but went cold in the hitting categories in the first and fourth sets, losing the South Atlantic Conference opener to Catawba, 3-1 (14-15, 25-19, 22-25, 17-25).

With the loss, Newberry falls to 4-2 overall (0-1 SAC) entering Saturday's 5 p.m. home match against Queens.

Newberry had a negative hitting percentage in the opening set, as Catawba forced sideouts on 78 percent of the Wolves' serves. The guests threw up four blocks and the scarlet and gray had 11 hitting errors in the set.

The Wolves rebounded well in the second set, hitting .209 on the strength of six kills from Mary Siebert (James Island, S.C.). Logan Hayward (Sylvania, Ohio) had a good defensive effort in the set with seven digs.

In the third set, Newberry was paced by five kills from Samantha De Jong (Charleston, S.C.), but hit .102 compared to Catawba's .217, as the visitors took a 2-1 lead.

The fourth set saw the Wolves out of rhythm for the majority of the set, as Catawba jumped out to an early lead. The Catawba Indians hit .278 in the set to pull away, as Newberry only managed a .086 percentage in the final set.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Newberry had two players notch double-doubles - Hayward (11 kills, 19 digs) and Maggie Marsh (33 assists, 14 digs).
- Kensley Jordan was strong in her libero position, digging out 22 balls and notching three service aces.
- Newberry out up eight blocks in the contest, but saw the visitors put up 15 blocks.
- Siebert was Newberry's leader in kills with 12.
- Catawba setter Kaytee Frabotta put up a triple-double with 10 kills, 38 assists and 17 digs, while also chipping in in three blocks.
- Newberry was limited to an .084 hitting percentage, while Catawba hit .197 in the match

UP NEXT
The Wolves host Queens on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Royals are 1-4 (0-1 SAC) after dropping a five-set match at Anderson tonight.