WINGATE, N.C. – Emmanuel University faced 14th-ranked Wingate University in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship on Thursday night. The eighth-seeded Lions fell to the top seed and host Wingate 3-1.

BOX SCORE

Wingate used a 9-0 run to gain control of the opening set, taking an 11-2 lead. The Lions couldn’t cut into the deficit as the Bulldogs took the set 25-15.

Emmanuel bounced back in the second set, hitting .432 with 17 kills against just one error. The Lions used a 5-1 run in middle of the set to gain control before scoring three of the final four points to take the set 25-18. That marked the first set Wingate had lost since October 21 against Anderson, ending a streak of 29 straight sets won.

In the third set, an 8-1 run gave Emmanuel a 10-6 lead before the Bulldogs started to chip away. Emmanuel held a 12-10 advantage before Wingate went on an 8-2 run to take an 18-14 lead. The Lions tried to come back, but Wingate took the set 25-18.

Wingate opened the fourth set with an 11-2 run and took the set 25-12 to win the match 3-1.

Ellie Jackson led Emmanuel with 16 kills and 15 digs while Asia Queen added 19 digs. Marusa Pesut handed out 28 assists and added nine digs.

Emmanuel ends the season with a 22-10 record, winning the Conference Carolinas Southwest Division title and the Conference Carolinas Women’s Volleyball Championship crown.