Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan picked up their second victory of the season as they defeated the Emory & Henry Wasps in a 3-0 final.

The Warriors collected 23 kills in their second victory of the season.  Amber Bass led the team with nine kills.  She was followed by Abigail Gannaio with eight. Ashley Sexton led the team with 14 assists.   Jarena Byers collected two of the four aces of the afternoon.  The Warriors had 40 digs with libero Kristina Pino leading the team with 13.  Southern Wesleyan blocked the ball 12 times in the match.  Both Riley Young and Gavirelle Elswick collected six of the blocks. 
 
 

Match Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 3, Emory & Henry 0
                Set One: Southern Wesleyan 25, Emory & Henry 22
                Set Two: Southern Wesleyan 25, Emory & Henry 17
                Set Three: Southern Wesleyan 25, Emory & Henry 17

Records: Southern Wesleyan (2-11 / CC 0-4) Emory & Henry (1-13 / SAC 1-6)
 
 

How It Happened

Set One
The Wasps took the first point of the set on a kill by Camden Jones, but the Warriors tied the set up as Amber Bass put down a kill and Riley Young and Emily Ellis blocked an Emory & Henry attack.  Southern Wesleyan took the lead on a service ace by Kali Letcher.  Emory & Henry challenged back, but kills by Abigail Gannaio and Emily Ellis allowed the Warriors to take a 13-11 point lead.  Kills by Camden Jones allowed the Wasps to come to within one, but it was short lived as an ace by Kristina Pino put the Warriors back on top 16-14.  Emory & Henry would not go down without a fight in the first set as they took the lead on a kill by Jones.  However, blocks by Gavirelle Elswick and Emily Ellis allowed the Warriors to take the first set 25-22.
 
Set Two
Southern Wesleyan charged out of the gate in the second set as Amber Bass put down kills to give the Warriors an early 3-1 point lead.  Emory & Henry challenged as Camden Jones attacked the ball, but Riley Young blocked the attack to allow Southern Wesleyan to extend their lead to 6-1.  The Warriors distanced themselves further from the Wasps on more kills by Amber Bass.  An ace by Jarena Byers gave the Warriors a six point advantage.  A kill by Jones allowed Emory & Henry to come within four points, but blocks by Bass and Young  allowed Southern Wesleyan to regain their eight point lead.  The Warriors went on to take the second set in a 25-17 point final.
 
Set Three
The Warriors started off the final set with an assisted block by Emily Ellis and Gavirelle Elswick to give them a 1-0 lead.  They continued to push ahead as Abigail Gannaio killed the ball.  Emory & Henry came to within three of the Warriors after kills by Julissa Hopgood.  However, Amber Bass slammed the ball down in a kill to allow the Warriors to extend their lead to 10-2.  The Wasps fought back, but the Warriors were not discouraged as kills by Amber Bass and Abigail Gannaio allowed them to take a 14-8 point lead.  Blocks by Riley Young and Amber Bass allowed the Warriors to win the third set 25-17.
 
 
 

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will travel to Due West, SC on September 28 to resume Conference Carolinas action and take on the Erskine Flying Fleet at 7 p.m.  They will then travel to Florence, SC on October 1 to take on the reining Conference Carolinas Champion Francis Marion Patriots at 2 p.m.  The Warriors will return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on October 4 as they host the Belmont Abbey Crusaders at 7 p.m.