WINGATE, N.C. — The Tusculum University women’s volleyball team suffered a five-set defeat at Wingate on Thursday (Nov. 5) night in the penultimate match of the regular season.
The Pioneers (17-8, 14-7 SAC) were edged out by the Bulldogs (16-11, 12-9 SAC) by scores of 28-26, 10-25, 22-25, 25-21, 14-16.
Lillian Edwards landed 19 kills in the victory for Wingate, ahead of 13 by Grace Woodring on a .393 hitting percentage. The setting duo of Reece Bellush (27) and Addie Rossum (22) combined for 49 assists. Bellush landed three service aces, while both Rylee Tanner and Rylee Lambert scooped up 20 digs. Woodring also accounted for nine block assists.
Karris Oller led Tusculum with an errorless 14 kills on a .452 clip. Rounding out the scoring were Mackenzie Land (10), Addison McLarty (8), Adreana Lee (8), Jordan Moore (4), Jaida Alvin (3), Gracie Hibdon (3), and Grace VanZwieten (1). Hibdon dished out 43 assists, while libero Mary Katherine Hall added three aces and 30 digs. Sadie Roach came up big with a career-best 19 digs as well. At the net, both Oller and Lee were credited with five total blocks.
Wingate hit .147 as a team with 64 kills and 33 errors on 211 total attempts. Tusculum hit .108 with 51 kills, 28 errors, and 212 total attacks. The Bulldogs led the Pioneers in assists (60-50), service aces (12-5), digs (115-101), and total blocks (13-12).
Tusculum opened the match with an impressive first-set performance, overcoming a late Wingate push to capture a 28-26 victory. The Pioneers fought through several ties down the stretch, with Karris Oller and Addison McLarty providing important kills. Tusculum eventually secured the set on a combined block by McLarty and Oller.
Wingate responded emphatically in the second set. The Bulldogs took control early and built a commanding advantage behind their offensive attack, hitting .500 for the frame. Lillian Edwards and Abby Mas helped fuel the surge as Wingate cruised to a 25-10 win to even the match.
The third set featured another competitive battle, with the teams exchanging points early. Tusculum briefly took the lead behind kills from Oller and Jordan Moore, but Wingate answered with a strong offensive stretch. Edwards continued to lead the Bulldogs, while Grace Woodring and Alanna Vavao contributed key kills. Wingate pulled away late to earn a 25-22 victory and take a 2-1 match advantage.
Facing elimination, Tusculum delivered a strong response in the fourth set. The Pioneers established early control, building a 7-1 advantage behind a productive serving rotation from Sadie Roach and timely attacking from Oller and Mackenzie Land. Wingate attempted to rally, cutting into the deficit, but Tusculum maintained its composure. Oller delivered several important kills during the closing stretch as the Pioneers secured a 25-21 victory to force a fifth set.
The deciding set provided plenty of drama. Tusculum jumped ahead early to a 5-1 advantage, but Wingate battled back. Down 14-12, the Bulldogs fought off two match-points, rattling off four-straight scores to defend their home court.
Tusculum rounds out the regular season at Coker on Friday (Nov. 6).
