Carrollton, GA - On Friday evening, for the first time in the 2016 season, the West Georgia Wolves walked away from The Coliseum as victors in a Gulf South Conference match, as the Wolves took down the Lee Flames with a 3-0 win to reach the halfway point of the campaign.
The Wolves came into the match with a 3-11 record overall this season and an 0-7 mark in conference action with only one set victory against GSC competition on the year. The win was a total team effort from West Georgia, as no player had more than nine kills on the evening.
Serving game and the front line were key for the Wolves in the opening set, as both teams had 13 kills with a similar hitting percentage. The Wolves, however, had three aces in the frame, including two from freshman
McKenna Wharton as well as two team blocks. West Georgia jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the set and really never looked back, as Lee pulled to within three at one point late in the set, but back-to-back points for the Wolves, including Wharton's second ace gave UWG a 25-20 victory and a 1-0 lead in the match.
Led by
Autumn Burnette and
Lindsey Thomas, the Wolves pushed through the second set with another 25-20 victory, as West Georgia turned up the intensity at the net. Burnette and Thomas each had three block assists in the game, leading UWG to a four-block set and forcing 11 attack errors from Lee. The Flames opened up a 10-5 lead, but West Georgia came storming back, catching Lee at 13-13, then finishing out the set with a 12-7 run to move to a 2-0 advantage in the match.
Thomas again led the Wolves in the third set, as West Georgia pounded away at the Flames with 17 kills in the frame. Thomas had six of the 17 with no errors and seven attempts for an .857 hitting percentage. But neither team could get a foothold on a lead in the third set, with West Georgia coming close with back-to-back match points in a 24-22 lead. Lee tied the match at 24-24, then Burnette delivered on a kill, followed by a kill from freshman
Faith Pearson to end the match.
Madi Fleming and
Kelcie Zimmer split the setter duties on the evening, with Fleming delivering on 24 assists and Zimmer nine.
Katie Hanson led the Wolves with nine kills, followed by Burnette and Thomas wiith eight each. Libero Tricia Melagari had 17 digs while Burnette and Thomas had four blocks to lead the defensive effort and contribute to 10 points for the Wolves on the night. Second to that pair was Wharton, who had five kills, six digs, a block and three service aces.
West Georgia will have a week off before hosting Christian Brothers and Union next weekend. The Wolves will take on the Lady Bucs at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 7, followed by a 2:00 p.m. meeting on Saturday.
