Charlotte, NC - The Lady Wildcats (6-5) opened the 2013 home schedule with a match against cross-town rival Johnson C. Smith (1-3). JWU played in front of a boisterous home crowd, and showed some nerves early, losing game one. However, the 'Cats stormed back to win the next three games and took the match, 3-1.

Game one proved to be a close, tight-knit affair throughout. Neither team led by more than two until late in the game when the Golden Bulls put together a 7-0 run to turn a 15-13 deficit into a 20-15 lead. JWU would briefly stem the tide, but J.C. Smith finished strong, winning the game 25-20.

The Golden Bulls carried that momentum over into game two, jumping out to a quick 4-1 lead. JWU clawed their way back into the game, tying it a 7 before J.C. Smith ran off three straight points to reclaim the lead. The Golden Bulls maintained the lead for much of the rest of the game. The Golden Bulls were on the verge of closing out the game at 24-21, before the Lady Wildcats reeled off 5 straight points behind the serving of Kylie Marquardt to take game two 26-24.

Game three was all JWU. The Lady Wildcats built an early 10-4 lead, and were never really threatened from there. Lucy Herrmann had a big kill to thwart the only serious J.C. Smith threat in the game. JWU cruised to a 25-15 win.

Initially, game four seemed like it was going to be a carbon copy of game three. Marquardt served the Lady Wildcats to an early 7-1 lead.  Stephanie Harris picked up where Marquardt left off, as she served six consecutive points, giving JWU their largest lead of the game at 18-8. J.C. Smith decided that they weren't going to go away quietly. They scored 13 of the next 18 points to pull within two of the Lady Wildcats at 23-21. JWU was able to regroup and closed out game four, 25-22, and the match 3-1.

Moriah Hughes led the JWU attack with 13 kills. Kylie Marquardt added 18 assists, while Tori Dublino chipped in with 25 digs. Madelyn Leonard was once again a force at the net, tallying 7 total blocks.

The Lady Wildcats are back at it again tomorrow night as they host Shaw University. Game time is 7pm.