Elizabeth City, NC -- After some rough outings as of late, the Johnson & Wales Wildcat Volleyball Team needed a good showing this weekend at the MACU tri-match, hosted by Mid-Atlantic Christian University.  JWU was set to face off with two USCAA opponents in Central Penn College and the host team.

The first contest matched the Wildcats against Central Penn in the first ever meeting of the two association teams.  The Wildcats worked to play a fast-paced game, not allowing Central Penn to make adjustments and forcing them to match pace with JWU.  The Wildcat offense was firing on all cylinders behind strong hitting from Kylie Marquardt, Erika Ross, and Jackie Clifford.  Central Penn struggled to find an answer for the Wildcats' quick sets, and JWU cruised to victories in the first and second games with scores of 25-10 and 25-6.  An injury to setter Hailey Thrift forced a quick lineup change going into the third game, and JWU players Erika Ross, Samantha Johnson, Raena McLean, and Jackie Clifford all stepped up and took different role to help the Wildcats finish the match.  The score of the third game was 25-11.  The Wildcats were lead by Kylie Marquardt with 13 kills and 16 digs.  Samantha Johnson had 7 service aces.  

In the second match, the Wildcats played Mid-Atlantic Christian University.  With Thrift still injured, the Wildcats went to their alternate lineup again with Jackie Clifford handling the setting duties.  The team was a little rattled in the first game and dropped a close one to Mustangs by a score of 25-23.  In the second game, the team was able to regroup and establish a rhythm.  Behind Kylie Marquardt's 14 kills and 21 digs and double-figure kills from Lucy Herrmann (11) and Reanna Bray (10), JWU took the next three games with scores of 25-13, 25-7, and 25-18.

JWU improves to 8-11 on the season.  They are next in action on Tuesday at Spartanburg Methodist College at 7:00 PM.