Southeast Region Championship Central

Indianapolis, Ind.----The 24th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs are the number one seed in the NCAA Southeast Regional volleyball tournament, earning hosting duties for the seventh time since 2008. The South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament champions enter postseason play at 29-1 overall after going 19-1 in league play, winning their 12th regular season SAC title in 13 years while also capturing their 11th conference tournament championship in 13 seasons. Wingate will host eighth-seeded Emmanuel in the opening round Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Cuddy Arena.

"It is awesome that this year's team has earned the opportunity to host the NCAA regionals," head coach Shelton Collier says. "It will be exciting for us to be able to play on our home court. There are a number of teams who have a legitimate shot at winning, so it will be an exciting and competitive tournament."

Wingate is the number one seed, followed by USC Aiken, Augusta and Anderson. Lander is the number five seed, with Georgia College, Lincoln Memorial and Emmanuel rounding out the regional. Augusta will face Georgia College in the opener Thursday at noon, while USC Aiken will take on LMU at 2:30 p.m. Anderson faces Lander at 5 p.m. Thursday, with the Wingate vs. Emmanuel match wrapping up the quarterfinal round Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

Wingate is making its league-best 15th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. This marks the 14th consecutive year the Bulldogs have earned a bid, another SAC record. Wingate is 19-14 in the NCAA Tournament, winning region titles in 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014. The 'Dogs have made four trips to the NCAA Elite Eight, with the rest of the conference earning a combined one trip. Wingate won three of the four titles as the regional hosts. The Bulldogs hosted every regional from 2008-2011, then hosted again in 2013 and 2014. The 'Dogs won three straight region titles starting in 2012. Wingate has played in the region title match seven of the last nine seasons.

The Bulldogs have gotten it done on offense and defense this season, ranking in the top 10 nationally in kills per set and assists per set, while also leading the SAC and the region in hitting percentage. Wingate is also the region leader in opponents' hitting percentage, ranking fifth in the nation.

The Bulldogs had a league-best five players earn All-SAC honors, led by SAC Player of the Year Rachel Alles, who leads the region in assists per set. First team All-SAC middle blocker Phoebe Havenaar leads the region in hitting percentage. The senior was also named the SAC Tournament MVP. Seniors Hannah Givens, Anna Holmquist and Kori Adams also earned all-conference honors, with Adams and Alles joining Havenaar on the All-SAC Tournament Team. Adams became the school's all-time leader in career digs in Saturday's SAC title match.

The Bulldogs have enjoyed incredible success for over a decade, going 374-33 overall since the start of the 2007 season. Wingate is 216-12 in league play during that span, winning 23 total league championships to go along with four region titles. The 'Dogs have ranked in the top 10 nationally in winning percentage each of the last 11 seasons, leading the nation three times. Wingate enters the postseason ranked second nationally in winning percentage.

NCAA Southeast Regional (All matches in Cuddy Arena)

Thursday, Nov. 15
12 p.m. - #3 Augusta vs. #6 Georgia College
2:30 p.m. - #2 USC Aiken vs. # 7 Lincoln Memorial
5 p.m. - #4 Anderson vs. #5 Lander
7:30 p.m. - #1 Wingate vs. #8 Emmanuel

Friday, Nov. 16
5 p.m. - AU - GC winner vs. USCA - LMU winner
7:30 p.m. - AU - LU winner vs. WU - EC winner

Saturday, Nov. 17
7 p.m. - Region Championship Match