NEWBERRY - The Newberry Wolves volleyball team looked to get a home win over Queens Friday night to celebrate Senior Day, but the Royals had other plans as they defeated the Wolves 3-1. With the loss, Newberry drops to 6-18 (4-15 SAC) on the season.

The Wolves got off to a good start as they won the first set, but it was a difficult one. The set was tied at five early on as neither team was able to gain much of an edge early on. Newberry took the lead at 12-11 before Queens won six of eight points to extend their own lead out to 17-14 and then continued to extend it out at 20-15. The Wolves would not give in, however, as they tied the set at 22 with a Zoe Dinkins block. Newberry would go on to win the set 25-23 as they capitalized on a couple of errors by Queens.

The Royals got off to a hot start in the second set as they took seven of the first eight points. They continued to play well and led 10-4 early on, before Newberry won three of four points to close the lead to 11-7. Queens took the punch from the Wolves and responded with a 7-3 run as they extended the lead out to 18-10, essentially sealing the set. Although Newberry cut the lead to 22-19 late, the Royals won the final three points to take the set 25-19 and tie the match at one.

The third set saw another battle early on as the teams were tied at six early on. With the set tied at nine later on, Queens won four straight points to gain the advantage and continued to maintain their lead throughout the set. The Wolves closed the gap to 17-15, but the Royals again ran off several points to lead 21-15 before eventually taking the set 25-18 to gain the crucial 2-1 overall lead.

Queens got off to another quick lead in the fourth set as they took the early 5-1 advantage. The Wolves battled back hard and took the lead at 8-7, but they were unable to hold on. The Royals took the lead back and extended it out to 16-10 rather quickly, then continued their barrage as they took a 20-12 lead. Newberry would win six of seven points to close the lead to 21-18, but Queens slammed the door shut as they won the set 25-19 and won the match 3-1.

The Wolves were led offensively by senior Toni-Anne Whitlow, who posted 14 kills, giving her 990 for her career. With ten more kills this season, she would become just the fifth Wolf to notch 1000 career kills. Olivia Kozemko had an excellent match with a season-high 23 assists and three service aces, while senior Sydney Diaz led the charge defensively with a season-high 25 digs.

Newberry will look to bounce back quickly as they host Catawba tomorrow at 2 pm.