Hickory, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne University Volleyball Team (9-17, 7-12) swept Wingate (24-5, 16-4), 3-0, in a South Atlantic Conference match Saturday afternoon at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

The Bears defeated the Bulldogs by scores of 25-19, 25-20 and 25-23 and knocked Wingate out of first place in the conference standings. Lenoir-Rhyne also defeated the Bulldogs for the second straight year at home.

Lenoir-Rhyne was led by junior middle blocker Emily Steele (Greenville, N.C.) with 10 kills while senior setter Emma Pope (Kannapolis, N.C.) added 20 assists and nine digs as the Bears swept their second straight opponent.

Wingate's Oakley Attaway (Orlando, Fla.) finished with a match-high 11 kills and Rachel Alles (Tinley Park, Ill.) notched a double-double – 22 assists and 12 digs – in the losing effort.

Lenoir-Rhyne senior right side hitter Brandi Thomas (Wilmington, N.C.) added nine kills and senior defensive specialist Jillian Born (Wilmington, N.C.) totaled 14 digs as the Bears finished with eight blocks and avenged an earlier loss to the Bulldogs.

Lenoir-Rhyne also limited Wingate to a .145 hitting percentage while the Bulldogs were also hurt by six service errors in the match.

Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Queens Tuesday night in a South Atlantic Conference match as part of Senior Day beginning at 7:00 p.m. Wingate hosts Mars Hill on Friday night in a league contest Friday at 7:00 p.m.