VIDEO | Interviews with Collier, Schaff, Kasprak & Young

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2019 season this weekend, traveling to Charlotte for four matches at the Queens Fall Classic Friday and Saturday. Wingate will look to continue an impressive stretch that has seen the 'Dogs pile up 23 SAC titles since 2006, with 12 regular season championships and 11 tournament titles. Wingate has also collected five region titles including the 2018 championship, while last season also marked the eighth appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16 over the past 10 years. The 'Dogs have compiled a 377-35 record since the start of the 2007 season. Wingate was 32-2 last season, going 19-1 in league play while winning the SAC regular season and tournament title to go along with the region championship.

The Bulldogs have won 377 of their last 412 matches, good for a .915 winning percentage. Wingate is 290-19 in the regular season over that span and 33-2 in the SAC Tournament. The Bulldogs are 216-12 in SAC matches since the 2007 season, going undefeated in league play six of the past 12 years. After having a league-record 83-match winning streak snapped early in the 2012 season, the 'Dogs reeled off 55 consecutive conference wins, the second longest streak in league history. Wingate led the nation in winning percentage for the fourth time in program history last season, while also leading the nation in 2007, 2010 and 2011, ranking third in 2008, 2009 and 2014, fourth in 2012, seventh in 2013 and ninth in 2017.

The Bulldogs made their league-record 14th consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2018, advancing to the NCAA national quarterfinals for the fifth time. Wingate is the only team in SAC history to earn an AVCA top 25 ranking. The 'Dogs were ranked as high as seventh during the 2014 season, the highest ranking in program history. After earning their first ranking in 2009, the Bulldogs have been a part of 66 top 25 polls over the past 10 seasons, cracking the top 25 each year. Wingate is ranked 25th in the 2019 AVCA preseason poll, while also being picked to win the SAC in the preseason coaches' poll for the 14th straight year.

It will be a new-look Bulldog team this season, with Wingate losing seven players to graduation including a pair of All-American middle blockers, an All-Region outside hitter and the school's all-time leader in career digs. Leading the returners is reigning SAC and Region Player of the Year Rachel Alles. Juniors Sophie Schaff and Anne Abernathy will have big roles on this year's squad, while senior Treslyn Ortiz will take over as the libero. Sophomore Molly Lambillotte will be another key factor after her impressive freshman campaign. The Bulldogs have seven newcomers on the squad, with six freshman and George Washington transfer Marianna Warren.

"We are looking forward to some new challenges this season," head coach Shelton Collier says. "We have the fewest returning starters of any team in the conference, so we obviously have many opportunities for new players to excel at these positions. We had a very productive spring season, have added six new freshmen and we are looking forward to the challenge."

POSITION BREAKDOWNS

OUTSIDE HITTER

Lambillotte will take over as the top left-side hitter for the Bulldogs after splitting time last season as a defensive specialist and left-side hitter. The sophomore will be a six-rotation player for the 'Dogs this season. She registered 112 kills last year while averaging 2.77 digs per set, good for third on the team. Lambillotte was second on the squad with 32 aces last season.

Lambillotte will be joined by classmate Reese Blackley, along with the transfer Warren and freshman Emma Ahrens. Blackley averaged 1.52 kills per set last season, adding 18 blocks on the year. Warren registered 1.86 kills per set at George Washington last season. Ahrens enters Wingate after a successful career at Allatoona High School in Georgia, while also helping her A5 Club Team to a fifth-place finish at the 2018 AAU national championships.

"Molly and Reese both played as full-time starters all spring and made huge strides in their effectiveness as left side hitters," Collier says. "Molly will definitely be a key factor for us as a six-rotation player. We expect Marianna to contribute as a strong attacker and have an impact on our offense. Emma has shown she has the potential to be a factor on the left side for us as well."

RIGHTSIDE HITTER

The junior Abernathy leads the way at the right-side hitter position. She battled through injuries last season to average 2.41 kills per set with a .278 hitting percentage. Joining her at the right-side hitter position will be senior Hanna Knaley and freshman Lexie Pryd. Alles will also see time at right side when the 'Dogs run their 6-2 offense. Knaley has seen time at nearly every position in her Wingate career, while Pryd joins the Bulldogs as the all-time leader in career kills at Maple Grove High School in Minnesota.

"Anne returned this season as one of our most well-prepared and effective hitters, which was exciting to see with her coming off major ankle surgery in the off season," Collier says. "She appears ready to have a strong junior season. Lexie has shown that she can be a factor on the right side as well as the left side so we expect her to contribute at both positions. Hanna adds value to our team not only as a right-side hitter, but as a setter and as a middle as well."

MIDDLE BLOCKER

With the graduation of All-Americans Anna Holmquist and Phoebe Havenaar, the 'Dogs will look to Schaff to have a big junior season. Schaff wrapped her sophomore season in impressive style, earning All-Tournament honors at the NCAA Southeast Regionals. She accumulated 2.20 kills per set last year, playing primarily as a right-side hitter, adding 59 blocks. Senior Lynnlee Mather also looks to be a key contributor in the middle. She suffered a knee injury during the 2018 season, but looks to make her return this year. Mather hit .276 with 37 kills last season, making five starts before her season-ending injury.

Joining Schaff and Mather in the middle will be freshmen Maggie Young, Carley Faulkner and Caitlin Montgomery. Young had a successful career at nearby Marvin Ridge High School, leading the team to a state title while also enjoying a successful club career at Carolina Union Volleyball Club, coached by former Wingate assistant coach Abbi Hayes. Faulkner and Montgomery come to Wingate after leading Venice High School to a Florida state championship in 2017 and enjoying successful careers with Venetian Bay Volleyball Club.

"Sophie played a key role as a starter in the middle and on the right side last year and returns this year as our strongest, most experienced and most efficient attacker," Collier says. "Maggie arrives here as one of the most prepared and motivated freshmen we have ever had and immediately earned a position as a starter.  Lynnlee has worked incredibly hard with her rehab following major knee surgery last season. She definitely knows what it takes to win and we are looking forward to her return at some point this season. Carley has the ability to play all of the front row positions, and this season will contribute both as a middle and as a right-side hitter. Caitlin will also help us add depth at the middle blocker position."

SETTER

The strength of the team may be at the setter position, led by Alles, the 2018 SAC and Region Player of the Year, who also earned second team All-American honors from the AVCA and third team accolades from D2CCA. Alles led the SAC in assists per set last year, running an offense that finished in the top 10 nationally in kills per set, assists per set and hitting percentage, leading the SAC and the region in all three categories. Alles did it all for the 'Dogs last year, ranking second on the team with 3.77 digs per set and 74 total blocks, third with 41 aces while also contributing 110 kills with a .295 hitting percentage.

Alles will be joined by sophomore Shannon Kasprak, who had a solid freshman campaign with 114 assists in 21 matches, adding 35 digs and seven aces.

"Rachel returns as our most experienced player and has certainly shown the ability to lead and win at a high level," Collier says. "She will have even more responsibility this year leading our new team as a setter, plus taking on a role as a primary attacker. Shannon is a strong, dynamic setter and has earned the confidence of the team with her setting and leadership. She had a successful spring season playing full time and is ready for the challenge to set our 6-2 offense this fall."

DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST

The senior Ortiz will lead the backrow as the libero after contributing as a top defensive specialist the last two years. Ortiz was the libero during her freshman season when starter Kori Adams went down with a knee injury early in the season, earning second team All-SAC and All-Region honors while piling up 562 digs. Ortiz contributed 2.65 digs per set last season, adding 30 aces.

Ortiz will be joined by sophomore Kasey Eastland and freshman Maggie Mullen. Eastland appeared in 27 matches as a freshman, collecting 205 digs while averaging 2.33 digs per set. Mullen is another local product, joining Wingate from nearby Hickory Ridge High School, while also playing for Carolina Union Volleyball Club.

"Treslyn has returned for her senior season very ready to accept the challenge of being our Libero this fall," Collier says. "She has made huge strides physically and technically and has earned the team's confidence at this important position. Kasey was solid last season as our regular defensive specialist and certainly adds so much to our team with her enthusiasm. Maggie came in emotionally and physically ready to contribute and we will rely on her both a defensive player and as a setter."

SCHEDULE

Wingate will open the season Friday, Sept. 6 with a pair of matches at the Queens Fall Classic in Charlotte. The 'Dogs will take on Belmont Abbey at 10:30 a.m. and North Greenville at 12:45 p.m. Wingate faces Converse and Augusta the following day to wrap up the Queens Classic, then welcomes Limestone to Cuddy Arena on Sept. 10 for the home opener on ESPN3. The Bulldogs open SAC play Friday Sept. 13, hosting Anderson at 7 p.m. in a rematch of the 2018 NCAA Southeast Regional semifinal match. Wingate has 29 matches slated for the regular season, with 14 contests taking place in Cuddy Arena to go along with four neutral-site matches and 11 road contests.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 13 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 113 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 122 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.