CENTRAL, S.C. – Southern Wesleyan survived a four-set win over Dalton State on Tuesday night in Tysinger Gymnasium in the Warriors' home opener.

SWU (12-5) ran away with the first set but then had to dig down and fight to come away with the match victory.  The Warriors took the first set 25-14 thanks in large part to long runs.  SWU gained control with a 5-0 run when the score was notched a 5-5 as Cherilyn Ramsey racked up three kills during the run.  Another 4-0 run put the set out of reach to 20-10.

The Warriors jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the second but the Roadrunners (7-6) responded with a 6-0 run to take a 15-12 lead.  Right after that, the Warriors reeled off five straight to take a 17-15 but Dalton State came back to win five of the next six to lead 20-18.  From there the teams teetered back and forth with Dalton State holding four set points before finally takin the set at 30-28.

The third was similar to the second, close early followed by a big run by SWU answered by a rally from Dalton State that made the set tight down the stretch.  DSU scored six of seven to pull within 22-23 but a double block from Jacinta Hoffpauir and Hughey gave the Warriors set point and Hoffpauir came through with the set-winning kill.

The Warriors had to rally in the fourth, trailing 19-17 before reeling off four straight to seize the lead at 21-19.  The teams traded points until the Warriors led 23-22 but a kill from Megan Widener and a DSU attack error ended the match.

Hughey led all players with 17 kills and also added 10 digs and three total blocks.  Hoffpauir added 14 kills, tying a season-high, and hit a team-best .231.  Widener tallied 40 assists and added eight kills on 10 attempts, six digs and two blocks.  Cherilyn Ramsey joined in with 11 kills and 13 digs, tying teammate Courtney O'Brien for the team lead.  O'Brien also notched 10 assists.

The Warriors hit just .182 for the match as the Roadrunners put up a formidable block.  DSU collected two solo blocks – both from Kianna Delaney – and 20 block assists as Delaney had four.  Savannah Nelson led the way with six block assists.  Alyne Bianchi led the team with 16 kills as the Roadrunners hit .162 for the match.

SWU jumps back into conference play with a pair of road matches this weekend.  The Warriors will travel to Bristol, Tenn. to take on King University on Friday at 7 p.m. before facing Lees-McRae on Saturday at 12 p.m.