NEWBERRY - The Newberry Wolves volleyball team (4-9, 2-7 South Atlantic Conference) started strong in their home conference match against Tusculum on Saturday afternoon in Eleazer Arena, but faded fast and fell to the Pioneers in three sets.
The match turned midway through the first set. The Wolves got out to a quick 8-3 lead, forcing a timeout by the Pioneers. Tusculum quickly got back in the match, winning five consecutive points to tie the score. From there, Newberry battled with the Pioneers, trading points until the set was tied at 17. Tusculum then won four straight points to pull ahead at 21-17, but the Wolves won the next three points to narrow the gap to one. However, the Pioneers then won the next four points to take the set 25-20 and took a 1-0 lead.
The second set also started very well for the Wolves as they won the first three points. As with the first set, however, Tusculum won five of the next six points to take a 5-4 lead. Newberry and the Pioneers battled back and forth for the second consecutive set and the two sides were eventually deadlocked at 12. Tusculum would win eight of the next ten points and stretch their lead out to 20-14. Although the Wolves continued to battle throughout, the Pioneers went on to win 25-20 and took a commanding 2-0 lead.
Tusculum used the momentum of their close to the second set and opened up an early third set lead at 3-1. Once again, the Wolves would not go away easily and came back to tie the match at seven. The Pioneers then won seven straight points to take a commanding lead. They continued to play well and stretched the lead to 20-12, forcing Newberry to call their final timeout of the match. Although the Wolves battled back from behind for the third straight set, Tusculum went on to win 25-18 and won the match 3-0.
Match standouts included
Kylee Kanealey and
Toni-Anne Whitlow, who each had nine kills on the day. Whitlow also led the team with two blocks.
Morgan Walter and
Sydney Diaz also starred defensively as they had 11 digs each.
The Wolves will be on the road next weekend as they will travel to Queens and Catawba.
