Pinehurst, NC - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte Volleyball team picked up right where it left off last season, notching an exciting victory over Sandhills Community College in the season opener for both teams. The reigning USCAA D2 national champions went on the road against a strong Flyer team that went 24-5 in 2018. The match was a back and forth affair that saw the Wildcats claim a five set win.

Johnson & Wales cruised in the first two sets 25-16, and 25-19. Sets three and four saw the home-standing Flyers rally to tie it 2-2 after winning 25-21 and 25-17. In the fifth set, the ever-composed JWU showed the resolve of a champion, jumping out to an 8-1 lead at the change of sides, and closed the match out with a 15-9 fifth set victory.

"We always enjoy playing Sandhills because it's a good match-up every year. Today looked like the first match of the year in spots, and we made some errors that we will definitely clean up moving forward," commented Wildcats Head Coach Callie Phillips. "I'm proud of my team for responding to the pushback in sets 3 and 4 from Sandhills and taking the 5th set with authority. We will look to build on this and get better each day."

Demya Scott led the Wildcats with 13 kills and 10 digs. Toniya Scott added 11 points on 6 kills, 4 blocks, and an ace, while Moana Reid continued her stellar career with another 25 assists to go along with 6 digs.

JWU is back in action on Tuesday, August 27, at 6:00 PM when they travel to Guilford Tech.