Friday, October 12, 2007

WINGATE EDGES TUSCULUM 3-2 IN SAC VOLLEYBALL THRILLER

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Wingate University freshman Stormi Gale recorded a triple-double with 12 kills, 20 digs and 11 blocks as the Bulldogs defeated Tusculum College in a five-game South Atlantic Conference volleyball thriller Friday night at Pioneer Arena.

The Bulldogs (22-1, 8-0 SAC) won the match by scores of 30-22, 29-31, 30-26, 21-30, 15-9 to increase their winning streak to 13 in a row. Tusculum (19-8, 7-2 SAC) has its 11-match winning streak halted as well as its 11-match home winning streak.

It was a battle between two regionally ranked teams. Wingate is listed No. 4 in this week's NCAA Division II South Region, while the Pioneers are ranked No. 8 in this year's inaugural poll.

Wingate's Melissa DeLuca recorded 58 assists, three service aces and eight digs, while Rebecca Bloemer added a team-high 19 kills. Heather Myklebust and Kathryn Reddick finished with 13 kills each, while Rachelle Rostas added 10 kills and seven blocks.

Tusculum's Vivian Lacy tallied 19 kills and 11 digs, while Katie Luebke recorded 15 kills and two blocks. Alexis Rowles led the defensive efforts for the Pioneers with 22 digs, while Mariana Rezende accounted four 51 assists and seven digs.

It was also career win No. 699 for Wingate head coach Shelton Collier. Collier will get two chances at his 700^th win on Saturday when Wingate travels to Mars Hill College for an 11 a.m. match, followed by a 4 p.m. contest at Brevard later in the day.

Tusculum returns to action Tuesday night when the Pioneers travel to Jefferson City and a rematch with rival Carson-Newman College. The match is slated for 6:30 p.m. at Holt Field House.

- TC -