WINGATE, N.C. – In the team's third straight road match, the Queens University of Charlotte women's volleyball team forced four sets in a rivalry matchup with South Atlantic Conference leader Wingate University on Tuesday night.
 
The Bulldogs (17-0, 10-0 SAC) came away with a 3-1 (25-20, 18-25, 25-22, 25-20) win on its home floor despite being held to a season-low .171 hitting percentage. Queens fell to 9-10 overall with a 5-7 league mark with the loss.
 
After Wingate secured a come from behind win in the opening set of play, Queens responded with a 5-0 run to begin the second frame. The lead extended to as large as an 11-point margin at 18-7 as the Royals cruised to a win and evened the match.
 
Queens carried momentum into the third set and led 10-7 early on before an 8-0 run put Wingate in front by five points. The Bulldog lead grew to 21-11 as the Royals rebounded with eight unanswered points to cut the deficit to just two points. The Wingate lead was too much to overcome as the Bulldogs earned the set victory to go ahead 2-1 overall.
 
In the fourth, the Royals once again gained an early advantage and carried that throughout to a 17-13 lead following a kill from sophomore Logan Witt. However, Wingate regained its composure and took a 19-17 lead with six unanswered points. Queens kept the frame close down the stretch, but the Bulldogs ended the comeback with a kill.
 
Sophomore Casey Tarvin led all players with 16 kills and had 18 digs for her tenth double-double of the season. Witt followed with eight kills from the middle, while sophomore Chanel Turner chipped in seven kills and 18 digs on defense.
 
Junior Mallory Swarts guided the offense with 32 assists and a season-high three service aces to go along with 13 digs, while sophomore libero JayCee Jones led the team with 24 digs from the back row.
 
The Royals busy week continues on Friday when the team welcomes league member Lincoln Memorial University to Charlotte for a 7 p.m. match inside Curry Arena. As a part of First Responder's Night, all members of CMPD, CMFD and EMT will be admitted into the game for free.