WINGATE, N.C. - The No. 24 and top-seeded Wingate University Volleyball Team (36-1) hit .389 for the match as it swept Carson-Newman College (23-10), 3-0 (25-22, 25-16, 25-19), in NCAA Division II Southeast Region Semifinal action at Cuddy Arena Saturday night. Wingate reaches the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history.

The Bulldogs had an attack of .400 or better in two of the three sets, hitting 53-11-108 while Carson-Newman went 37-13-95 (.253) for the match

The first set was tight from start to finish, featuring eight ties and two lead changes. A kill from Grace Krauser, followed by a C-N error gave Wingate a 13-10 lead. The Lady Eagles tied it at 14 on a kill from senior middle blocker Jessica Brady (Fruitland Park, Fla.). Back-to-back kills from Rebecca Bloemer gave the Bulldogs a 20-17 lead.

Carson-Newman cut the lead to two one final time on kill by junior outside hitter Carly Mozgai (Greensboro, N.C.) kill to make it 24-22. The Bulldogs capped the set on a C-N error. Wingate hit .405 (19-4-37) in the opening frame to set the pace for the match.

Wingate used an 8-0 run to put the second set out of reach. Carson-Newman led 11-10 after a service ace by Mozgai. The Bulldogs answered with eight straight points, highlighted by two kills each from Lauren Billo and Bloemer.

The final set featured seven ties and two lead changes. A kill from Jacki Emmenecker, followed by an ace from Krauser and a Bloemer kill gave Wingate an 18-14 lead. An ace from Mozgai cut it to two at 19-17. Gale answered with a block, while another Carson-Newman error made it 21-17. With the score 22-19, the Bulldogs turned to Billo. She notched three consecutive kills to send Wingate to the regional finals.

Wingate’s Billo led the Bulldog attack with 15 kills, and a .423 hitting percentage while Gale added 13 kills and four blocks with a .379 hitting percentage. Liz Willis handed out 40 assists and Maggie Malone collected 13 digs.

Mozgai led the Lady Eagles with 10 kills while senior outside hitter Jessica Schachleiter (Cincinnati, Ohio) added nine kills and 11 digs. Senior setter Stephanie Cutter (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) recorded 24 assists and seven digs and freshman libero Angelle Hayes (Brentwood, Tenn.) collected eight digs.

Wingate will take on Flagler College Sunday night at 7:00 p.m., in the Southeast Region Final. The Bulldogs and the Saints met earlier this season, with Wingate rallying for a 3-2 win.