WINGATE, N.C. -- The Anderson volleyball program completed a historic season on Saturday afternoon with a 3-1 loss to No. 1 Wingate University by scores of 18-25, 25-20, 20-25 and 22-25. The Trojans finish the 2025 season with a 23-8 record after their second appearance as a program in the Sweet Sixteen.

"It's bittersweet, but wow, what a ride," head coach Todd Hay said. "When you look back over the course of the whole season you're just really proud. The team worked so hard and got so much better as the season went along. It's been a fun run and we're sorry to see it come to an end, but we can look back on it with great memories."

The Trojans played Wingate closer than they had all season, with 18 lead changes and 31 tie scores. The Bulldogs shut down the Trojan offense, forcing a .167 hitting percentage and 24 errors. Anderson came up with seven blocks, eight aces, 51 assists and 74 digs. 

The Trojans struggled to gain momentum in the first set, but the second set saw a change in energy. Anderson closed their winning set on a 10-5 run that freshman Kaleigh Garren (Anderson, S.C.) finished out with three-straight service aces.

The two teams were tied at 13 in the third set but the Bulldogs closed hard, going on a 4-0 run that the Trojans couldn't come back from. 

Anderson battled through the final set, tying things up at 18 and 20 before the Bulldogs finished. 

Four Trojans were in double digits for kills, led by junior Ava Reeves (Lexington, S.C.) with 15. 

Sophomore Mia Elder (Leland, N.C.) had 11 kills and eight digs.

Freshman Mikaylah Hedlund (Fountain Inn, S.C.) and junior Emily Campbell (Statesville, N.C.) came up with 10 kills each and two and four blocks, respectively. Campbell added three aces.

Junior Ellie Nieporte (Boca Raton, Fla.) rounded out the season with a double-double of 43 assists and 15 digs. 

Freshman Jamie Juhnevicz (Taylors, S.C.) was solid on defense with 20 digs and five assists. 

Elder, Campbell and Nieporte were named to the All-Tournament team. 

The volleyball program will say goodbye to seniors Katy Smith and Kaitlyn Barrett, who both left their mark in a historic four years.