NEWBERRY – Newberry took the number one team in the conference, Wingate, to their limits early in the match, winning the first set and narrowly falling in the second set. Wingate would ultimately win the match in four sets.
 
The Wolves (8-17, 3-15 SAC) posted set scores of 26-24, 22-25, 14-25 and 19-25. The Bulldogs (24-1, 17-1 SAC) came off their first loss of the season and Newberry looked to take advantage. Newberry jumped out to a 10-5 lead including three straight points as Vanessa Blas got two kills and an error from Wingate on the stretch. The Wolves were able to maintain their lead in the set until the Bulldogs caught fire and went on a 6-1 run to close the deficit, making it 17-15 in favor of Newberry.
 
Wingate was able to tie the match and take a 23-20 lead. As the team traded points, The Bulldogs looked to take the first set. Thanks to a service error committed by Wingate, Newberry was still alive. On the ensuing possession, Kensley Jordan got a service aces, taking advantage of a confused Bulldog squad. Two straight errors from Wingate and a kill by Lacie Wood sealed the set for the Wolves. Wingate committed 25 errors in the contest including 12 in the first frame.
 
Newberry looked to take advantage of the reeling Bulldogs after winning a hard fought first set. Wingate jumped out to a quick 8-4 lead in the second frame. The Wolves were able to tie it up at 10-10 thanks to two straight terminations and a service ace from Olivia Kozemko. Wingate was able to separate themselves down the stretch, taking a 20-16 lead late in the frame before the Wolves rattled of five straight points. During the stretch, the Bulldogs had four straight errors. Wingate was able to close the set out on a 4-1 run.
 
On offense, the Wolves were paced by Toni-Anne Whitlow and Dinkins as they each had 10 kills. Dinkins hit .421 from the floor on 19 swings. Blas and Wood also had strong games at the front of the net, finishing with nine and seven kills, respectively.
 
Kozemko and Taylor Garrison had great days setting up the offense, finishing with 20 and 17 assists, respectively.
 
Jordan had a team-high 17 digs while Blas added 13 digs. Garrison and Kozemko each had nine digs on the day.
 
The Wolves hit the road next Friday for a South Atlantic Conference showdown as they face-off against Queens at 7 p.m.