CENTRAL, S.C. – Southern Wesleyan volleyball stormed back to defeat Emmanuel in four sets on Tuesday night, taking a leg up on the Lions in the SSAC standings and the Lil' Bronze Peach.

The Warriors, playing without Courtney Williams, fell behind big early in the first set.  SWU trailed 15-5 before rallying to pull within one at 22-23 but the Lions won the final two points to take the set 25-22.  In the second the Warriors fell behind 6-1 but again came back, this time all the way back to win the set 25-19.

In the third the Warriors used the momentum from the second to take a commanding 16-7 lead en route to winning 25-16.  The fourth was the most competitive set throughout.  No team led by more than three points and the Warriors rallied again.  Trailing 12-9, SWU went on a 11-5 run to take the lead at 20-17.  Four straight points by the Lions gave them the lead at 21-20 but the Warriors won five of the final seven to take the match on an ace by Hayley Hoover.

Cherilyn Ramsey led all players with 21 kills and hit .444 in the match.  Jacinta Hoffpauir and Alysia Cruell were in double figures with 13 and 10 kills respectively.  Cruell added 15 digs and two block assists.  Kelsey Deerinwater led the team with 18 digs.

  
The Warriors (24-10, 11-3 SSAC) hit .166 for the match, never hitting over .191 for any set as the Lions (20-9, 9-5 SSAC) height posed problems all night long.  Emmanuel registered 13 total blocks including six from Danielle Sweet and eight from Andrea Quintanilla.  The Lions were led in kills by Cali Jones with 13.

SWU finishes up the regular season and will await their seed for the SSAC Tournament to be held Nov. 7-9 in Montgomery, Ala.  The Warriors are currently tied for second with Coastal Georgia – who split with SWU – at 11-3.  Mobile is 9-3 with two conference matches remaining.  Spring Hill is the regular season champion at 13-0 with one match remaining.

The Warriors also take two more points in the race for the Lil' Bronze Peach and lead 8-4.  SWU has won all four points in volleyball and men's soccer.  Emmanuel's four points come from a women's soccer win.  The next event in the series is cross country, to be determined at the SSAC meet.