ROCK HILL, S.C. – Anderson volleyball (29-3, 21-1 SAC) swept No. 4 seed Wingate University (18-12, 13-9 SAC) for the first time since 2016 to advance to the South Atlantic Conference Volleyball Tournament Championship match. The Trojans claimed the 25-20, 25-22, 25-19 victory to earn a chance to capture the first conference tournament championship in program history.
Anderson set the tone early, recording 19 kills compared to Wingate's eight in a 25-20 opening-set victory. The second set proved much closer, but a key block from seniors Emily Campbell (Statesville, N.C.) and Karley Black (Leander, Texas) sealed a 25-22 win for the Trojans. The teams traded points early in the third set before a kill from senior Ava Reeves (Lexington, S.C.) tied the score at 12-12. Anderson then found its rhythm, putting together several scoring runs to close out the sweep with a 25-19 victory.
Reeves led the Trojans with 14 kills, while Black and Campbell also reached double figures with 11 and 10, respectively. Sophomore Mikaylah Hedlund (Fountain Inn, S.C.) added eight kills and 10 digs. Junior Maura Kindel (Easley, S.C.) led the team with a .545 hitting percentage and recorded two solo blocks.
Senior Ellie Nieporte (Boca Raton, Fla.) posted a double-double with 38 assists and 10 digs. Sophomore Kaleigh Garren (Anderson, S.C.) led the defensive effort with 15 digs, followed by sophomore Jamie Juhnevicz (Taylors, S.C.) with 14. Senior Sophie Deese (Hickory, N.C.) contributed 10 digs, while Reeves and Garren each recorded two service aces.
Hear from head coach Todd Hay postgame:
Anderson advances to the SAC championship, where the Trojans will face the winner of UVA Wise and Carson-Newman on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m.
