Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan dropped their Conference Carolinas opening match against the North Greenville Crusaders in a 3-0 final score.

The Warriors collected 22 kills in the loss to the Crusaders.  Abigail Gannaio led the Warriors with six kills.  She was followed by Riley Young with five and Amber Bass with four.  Of the 21 assists recorded, Ashley Sexton led the team with 13.  The Warriors recorded three service aces.  Southern Wesleyan collected 15 blocks with Riley Young leading the team with five.  Kristina Pino led the team with 14 digs.
 


 
Match Vitals
Final: North Greenville 3, Southern Wesleyan 0
                Set One: North Greenville 25, Southern Wesleyan 22
                Set Two: North Greenville 25, Southern Wesleyan 19
                Set Three: North Greenville 25, Southern Wesleyan 16
Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-8 / CC 0-1) North Greenville (5-6 / CC 2-0)
 

 
 
How It Happened
Set One
The Warriors took the first point of the set as Riley Young blocked an attack from Ashlyn Holford to give Southern Wesleyan a 1-0 point lead.  The Crusaders countered with a kill by Chandler Morrell.  Southern Wesleyan would not relent as Abigail Gannaio and Amber Bass killed the ball to extend their lead to 4-1.  North Greenville countered as kills by Paige Campbell allowed them to take a 6-5 point lead.  Trinity Eichman killed the ball to allow the Warriors to tie the set back up.  However, the Crusaders continued to push ahead as an ace by Ashlyn Conner put them on top 9-6.  Blocks by Abigail Durham and Taya Knier allowed the Crusaders to take a seven point lead.  Southern Wesleyan fought back with kills by Abigail Gannaio and Amber Bass allowing them to come to 22-19 behind North Greenville.  The Crusaders went on to win the first set 25-22.
 
Set Two
North Greenville attacked early as Paige Campbell blocked the ball to give the Crusaders a 1-0 point lead.  Southern Wesleyan countered with a kill by Abigail Gannaio to keep the Warriors within one point of the Crusaders.  The Crusaders took a three point lead on kills by Bailey Shultz and Chandler Morrell.  Southern Wesleyan fought back as Gavirelle Elswick blocked the ball to put the Warriors down 7-6.  Aces by Klayton Mathis allowed North Greenville to take a five point lead.  Southern Wesleyan would not go down quietly as Riley Young, Trinity Eichman and Elswick each killed the ball.  However, the Crusaders won the second et 25-19.
 
Set Three
The Crusaders took a 2-0 point lead on a kill by Taya Knier, but the Warriors countered with a kill by Riley Young to tie the set up.  Southern Wesleyan took the lead on an ace by Kali Letcher and then furthered their lead as Emily Ellis and Riley Young blocked Ashlyn Holford's attacks.  The Warriors extended their lead to 8-5 on a kill by Gavirelle Elswick.  However, the Crusaders tied the set back up on an ace by Abby Pyke.  North Greenville pushed ahead as Paige Campbell killed the ball.  The Crusaders continued to push ahead, winning the final set in a 25-16 point final.
 


 
What's Next

The Warriors will travel to Bristol, TN to take on the King Tornado on September 17 at 2 p.m.  They will then travel back to Central, SC to host the Lees-McRae Bobcats on September 20 at 7 p.m.  Southern Wesleyan will travel to Spartanburg, SC on September 23 to take on the Converse Valkyries at 7 p.m.  The Warriors will then host Emory & Henry on September 24.