WINGATE, N.C. -- The Lenoir-Rhyne Volleyball Team fell to top-seeded Wingate in three sets in the First Round of the 2023 NCAA Division II Tournament. The Bears were the eight seed and fell to the Bulldogs for the third time this season. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Wingate 3, Lenoir-Rhyne 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (21-11), Wingate (28-3)
Location: Cuddy Arena

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• Wingate took the match by scores of 25-19, 25-16 and 26-24 to earn the victory.
• Wingate held a 44-39 advantage in kills and had 10 aces on the night.
• Kiley Redfern had a career-best nine kills in the match to lead LR and hit .286 while adding five digs.
• Sydney Karjala recorded a double-double with 10 assists and 11 digs.
• Lyndsie Warren had 16 digs for the Bears.
• Gabby Saye and Lorna Stacherski each had 10 kills for the Bulldogs. Katie Jamerson recorded a double-double with 15 digs and 20 assists. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• This was the third meeting in the NCAA Tournament between LR and Wingate with the Bulldogs holding the upperhand 2-1. 
• LR and Wingate met three times this year with none of them coming in Shuford Arena.
• The Bears are now 4-6 all-time in NCAA Tournament games.
• This was the first career NCAA Tournament game for head coach Nicole Barringer. 

UP NEXT: LR will turn their sights to the 2024 campaign with a strong, young nucleus to build upon for the future.