CENTRAL, S.C. – Southern Wesleyan University volleyball opened the 2013 season with a dominating performance, coming away with a 3-0 (25-10, 25-15, 25-19) sweep of Dalton State University on Tuesday night at Tysinger Gymnasium. 

The Warriors (1-0) hit .448 in the first set as they set the tone early.  Junior Courtney Williams recorded five of her team-high 10 kills in the first set en route to a .714 percentage for the set.  The Warriors cooled off to hit .298 for the match.  Dalton State hit negative .015.

After neither team scored more than two points in a row in the first set, the Warriors closed out the set by scoring 15 of the final 16 points including the final 10 points.  Williams and Olivia Sons each recorded three kills during the run.

The second set started out very similar to the first as both teams traded points but after DSU cut a 9-6 lead to one the Warriors stepped up their game.  SWU tallied 16 of the final 22 points and only allowed DSU to score once off their own serve in the set. 

In the final set SWU took a commanding 21-8 lead but the first-year Lady Roadrunners had some resolve left.  DSU scored nine of 10 points to cut the margin to 23-18 but a kill by setter Megan Widener broke the momentum and a service error by DSU sealed the match for the Warriors.

Five Warriors posted five or more kills in the match led by Williams' 10.  Just missing the double figure mark was Junior Cherilyn Ramsey with nine on 12 attempts.  She also added a match-high three blocks.  Widener finished the match with five kills on nine attempts and also collected 31 assists.

 Jacinta Hoffpauir added seven kills in her first match with the Warriors and Olivia Sons added six kills.  Kelsey Deerinwater led the defense with 14 digs.  Alyne Bianchi led DSU with 11 kills on 28 attempts.
Southern Wesleyan will head to Mobile, Ala. this weekend to take part in the Spring Hill/Univ. of Mobile Invitational on Friday and Saturday.  The Warriors will play Asbury University in their first match on Friday at 1 pm eastern time.  Live stats will be available for select games during the weekend.

For a complete look at the Warriors schedule including links for live stats and video (when available) please clickhere.

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