WINGATE, N.C. – Picking up their first ever win against Wingate in Cuddy Arena, the Anderson University (27-5) volleyball team booked their ticket to their first NCAA Southeast Region Final with 3-2 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday, December 2.

"We had a really good morning practice, I really just sensed a looseness with the kids after last night had a little tension after being the higher seed and we lost in that round the previous year we didn't want to repeat that," said head coach Todd Hay.

"Today it was as if a weight had been lifted and we talked about just going for broke as long as it takes we will just keep plowing ahead. I thought we were mentally tough tonight as that's really what we focused on during the pregame meeting."

Senior Tabitha Wheeler (Greenville, S.C.) again led the Trojans with 19 kills in the contest while senior Rylie Sargent (Greer, S.C.) was able to add 17 to the Anderson total on the night. Sophomore Brantley Chipley (Spartanburg, S.C.) posted 10 kills and three block assists. Senior Jenna Long (Clearwater, Fla.) tallied 53 assists and 16 digs while graduate Lindsay McCurley (Simpsonville, S.C.) also recorded 16 digs.

The Trojans came out in the first set on fire as they were able to jump out to an 11-4 advantage over the Bulldogs. However, Wingate was able to slowly chip away at that advantage throughout the set, eventually swinging the lead to their side of the scoreboard at 19-18. The teams traded points back and forth the rest of the set and the Bulldogs were able to score the final point taking the set 25-23.

Wingate was able to score the first three points of the second set, but the momentum swung to the Trojans side as they were able to take the lead and extend it to four at 11-8. Anderson was able to double up the point total of Wingate throughout the rest of the second set, outscoring them 14-7 and taking the largest set victory of the night 25-16 to tie the match at one set each.

The third set returned to a back-and-forth affair as the Bulldogs forced a timeout by the Trojans in the early goings at 11-7. The Trojans were able to slowly claw back into the set, eventually making a run and forcing the Bulldogs to take a time out with the score tied up at 19. Anderson was able to force extra points in the set and would lead 25-24, but the Bulldogs responded with three straight points to take the 27-25 decision.

Neither team was able to gain a large advantage in the fourth set as in the beginning of the frame the teams traded points back and forth with no team capturing larger than a two-point advantage. That was until Wingate opened a five-point advantage late in the set at 20-15 but a three-point and a four-point streak by the Trojans gave Anderson the 23-21 lead. Wingate was able to score one more point in the frame by the Trojans forced a decisive set five with a 25-22 win.

Anderson jumped out to the early advantage as they forced an early timeout from Wingate after scoring the first four points of the set. The Trojans forced the side change at 8-5 but Wingate was able to climb back into the contest and close the gap to just one at 10-9. A three-point run by the Trojans gave them the four-point advantage and they were able to secure the final two points on the back of two service errors from the Bulldogs to wrap up the five-set victory.

The Trojans now head to the NCAA Southeast Regional Final against Augusta University at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow, Sunday, December 3.

Senior Rylie Sargent on her effort tonight –

We talked a lot about yesterday as the pressure was on us yesterday and now the pressure was on Wingate today. We were the underdogs we've never won here, we're 1-1 this season and we've never won at their place. We talked a lot about going for broke and just going out there and swinging so we all did that, and I really relied on my teammates to cover, and they did. We really just trusted the work we put in in the last few months, and it really paid off tonight.

Senior Jenna Long on getting the first win in Cuddy Arena

It meant a lot to us and our whole team. We were so excited in the locker room after the game, just soaking it all in. But before the game coach had us close our eyes and imagine what it would be like to win the last set of the game and for us to go to five and for us to experience it all, I'll just never forget it.