Wilson, NC – Southern Wesleyan fell to the Barton Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon in a 3-0 final score.
The Warriors picked up 36 kills against the Bulldogs. Michaela Andress led the team with 14 kills. Southern Wesleyan had three aces. Of the 34 assists, Amiyah Spann led the team with 21. Kristina Pino led the team with 17 of the 50 digs. Pino was followed by Andress and Ronaldson with nine.
Match Vitals
Set One Final: Barton 26, Southern Wesleyan 24
Set Two Final: Barton 25, Southern Wesleyan 20
Set Three Final: Barton 25, Southern Wesleyan 22
Records: Southern Wesleyan (1-12 / CC 0-7) Barton (5-9 / CC 1-5)
How It Happened
Set One
Southern Wesleyan struck first in the opening set as Gracie Wilson put down a kill. The Bulldogs tied the set up on kills by Allison Gambill and Audrey Earp. A kill by Michaela Andress allowed the Warriors to stay within one. The Warriors tied the set up on another kill by Wilson and an ace by Amiyah Spann. Kills by Katie Fulton and Wilson allowed the Warriors to take the lead. However, the Bulldogs fought back to win the first set in a 26-24 final.
Set Two
The Warriors charged out of the gate in the second set as kills by Emma Ronaldson and Katie Fulton put them on top 7-1. Barton was not discouraged as kills by Lauryn Pitt put the Bulldogs back within three points. Aubree Schrubb laid down a kill to tie the set up. However, the Warriors continued to put up a fight as a block by Gracie Wilson tied the set and then kills by Ronaldson and Fulton gave Southern Wesleyan a 16-13 point advantage. Michaela Andress killed the ball to allow the Warriors to maintain a two point lead. Barton would not back down as kills by Allison Gambill allowed them to win the second set 25-20.
Set Three
A kill by Allison Gambill allowed Barton to take the first point, but back-to-back kills by Gracie Wilson put the Warriors on top 2-1. Kills by Michaela Andress allowed the Warriors to stay on top by one point. Southern Wesleyan maintained the pressure with kills by Gracie Wilson and Andress. Barton tied the set up on a kill by Lily Haaga. Despite kills by Emma Ronaldson, Katie Fulton and Andress, Barton took the final set in a 25-22 final.
What's Next
The Warriors will travel to Wise, VA on October 4 to take on the UVA Wise Cavaliers at 6pm. They will remain on the road on October 6 and 7. They will take on the Belmont Abbey Crusaders on October 6 at 6pm in Belmont, NC before traveling to Spartanburg, SC on October 7 to take on the Converse Valkyries at 2pm. Southern Wesleyan will return to Historic Tysinger Gymnasium on October 13 as they take on the University of Mount Olive Trojans.
