Wentworth, NC - The Johnson & Wales University volleyball team and Lenoir Community College have played each other early and often this season.  Lenoir won the first two meetings.  Johnson & Wales won when it mattered the most.

The Wildcats (5-3) won three straight contests, including the decisive final against Lenoir, to claim the championship at the Haley Jo Plummer Classic at Rockingham Community College on Saturday.

"After finishing as the runners-up to Lenoir last season and losing to them twice by two points in the final set the previous week, it's a nice feeling to bring home the championship," said Wildcats head coach Callie Phillips.  "Our team worked hard and fought together to get this done.  Hopefully this is the start of a good season for us."

Lucy Herrmann's six kills proved crucial in the final, helping Johnson & Wales claim a 25-20, 17-25, 15-9 victory.  Herrmann's efforts earned her Tournament MVP honors.  Teammate Tiy Gonzalez was also named as an All-Tournament Selection.

Earlier in the day, the two teams met in the tournament opener, with Lenoir claiming victory in three sets by the scores of 25-19, 19-25, 19-17.  It would prove to be merely a preview of what was an entertaining final.

Following the loss, the Wildcats begin to pick up steam.  They won in straight sets over Laurel University (25-20, 25-13) and host Rockingham Community College (25-22, 25-22), setting up a rematch with Lenoir in the final.

Hailey Thrift paced the offense for the Wildcats throughout the day, picking up a collective 76 assists.  Samantha Johnson shone defensively for Johnson & Wales, making a number of key plays in the title-winning third set of the final.

The Wildcats return to action on Sept. 3 when they travel to Columbia, SC, for the Allen University Tri-Match against the hosts and Morris College.  Play begins at 5:30 p.m.