Box Score Newberry, S.C.----The 15th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs moved to 4-0 on the season Saturday afternoon with a sweep over the Columbus State Cougars on the final day of the 2014 Newberry Invitational. Wingate won by scores of 25-22, 25-22 and 25-12 to remain undefeated on the year. The 'Dogs dropped just one set in the first four matches of the season. Columbus State falls to 1-3 on the year.
Sophomore middle blocker
Abby Saehler (Iowa City, Iowa) had nine kills to lead the Bulldogs, hitting .727 on the match. Saehler is hitting .625 on the young season. Senior outside hitter
Susie Murach (Burke, Va.) hit .412 on the day with nine kills. Senior middle blocker
Lexi Potter (North Liberty, Iowa) had eight kills and two blocks, while junior right-side hitter
Shelly Stumpff (Iowa City, Iowa) had eight kills and 10 digs. Redshirt senior setter
Alison Cooke (Davidson, N.C.) registered 31 assists, seven digs and four kills for the Bulldogs, who were the only team to go undefeated at the Newberry Invitational.
"This was a very successful first tournament for us," head coach
Shelton Collier says. "We were able to get wins over the top two teams in conference Carolinas , plus wins over two teams who will most definitely be in the top half of the Peach Belt. We had some veteran players really elevate their games and some young players who showed they are ready to contribute in big matches as well, which is an exciting combination."
Kills from Murach and Potter helped Wingate jump out to a 10-6 lead in the first set. A
Katie Poole kill cut the lead to one at 15-14, but a Cooke kill and two Saehler kills made it 18-14. A Stumpff kill put the 'Dogs on top 20-15. A Poole ace and
Megan Frame kill cut the lead to one at 21-20, but a Saehler kill and Columbus error made it 23-20. Cooke capped the frame with a kill.
A Saehler kill put the 'Dogs on top 7-3 in the second set. Columbus scored the next five points to take an 8-7 lead. A kill from
Kylie Beaubien gave the Cougars a 14-11 advantage. A Potter ace and two Murach kills tied it at 16. The 'Dogs took a 19-18 lead on kills from Stumpff and Potter. Columbus regained a 21-19 lead on a kill from
Erika Gelzinyte. A Stumpff kill and Potter block tied it at 21, while a Cooke kill put Wingate on top by one. Two more Cougar errors made it 24-21, while a Potter kill capped the set.
Kills from Potter and Stumpff put the Bulldogs on top 10-4 in the third set. A Murach kill pushed the lead to eight at 15-7. A Saehler kill made it 19-10, while a 6-0 run would cap the match. Stumpff had three aces in the flurry, while Potter added a kill and a block.
Wingate hit .250 on the match, with 41 kills and 15 errors in 104 attacks. Columbus had 33 kills and 18 errors, hitting .149. Saehler had a match-high three blocks, while Stumpff's three aces led the way.
Wingate is back in action Tuesday, hosting a tri-match with UNC Pembroke and Erskine. The Bulldogs play at 3:30 and 7:30 in Cuddy Arena.
