Volleyball team continues to control own destiny

Steven Grandy
Sports Editor

Entering Tuesday night’s volleyball match against USC Aiken, the Wingate Bulldogs knew what was at stake if they won. Win the match, and your chances of hosting the Southeast Regional continue to improve. Lose the match, and lose control of the opportunity to host. Knowing what the stakes were, the Bulldogs came through with a decisive 3-0 victory over the Pacers. Wingate did not trail in a single set.
“This was a really important match for us” said outside hitter Jacki Emmenecker. “USC Aiken is one of the top teams in the region.”
In the opening set, the Bulldogs held a 10-6 lead entering the first timeout called by the Pacers. Wingate continued to bring the heat, going on an 8-4 run to make the score 18-10. Wingate would win the first set 25-12. “We scouted (USC Aiken) said Emmenecker. “All of us knew the meaning of this match and it we have been waiting for this match for a while.”
Wingate would jump out to a 7-3 lead in the first set, but the Pacers would not go away, cutting the lead to 16-15. USC Aiken would not get any closer, as the Bulldogs would win the second set on a kill from outside hitter Lauren Billo. The third set would be a battle early on, as the teams were deadlocked at 10 following a Wingate error. Wingate would go on a 3-0 run, started by another Billo kill, to take control of the set and the match. Following a Pacer timeout, at which time the score was 23-15 in favor of the Bulldogs, USC Aiken would cut the lead to six, but would give the Bulldogs the deciding point on an error, sending the 378 in attendance away with a Bulldog victory. “Playing in front of a large crowd was awesome” said Emmenecker. “We are very appreciative of all the fans that give us support. As a team, it makes us want to play harder and our adrenaline feeds off of them.”
The Bulldogs will hit the road for their next three conference matches, returning to Cuddy Arena on October 13 to play archrival Catawba College at 7 p.m.