Charlotte, NC - The Johnson & Wales Charlotte volleyball team moved three games over .500 for the first time this season with a 5 set win over NC Wesleyan on Thursday night.

How It Happened:

• NC Wesleyan scored the first two points of the set #1 before JWU ran off 10 of the next 14 points to take a 10-6 lead.
• The Wildcats continued to pull away, eventually doubling up the Battling Bishops 20-10 before going on to win 25-16. JWU hit .300 in the frame, compared to .000 for NCWU.
• NC Wesleyan took the early lead in the second set, and built their advantage to as many as four at 13-9. 
• JWU responded with three straight points to cut the lead to one.
• The set remained nip and tuck until NCWU moved ahead by 5 at 22-17, and went on to win 25-18.
• JWU jumped out to a 5-2 lead in the third, before the Battling Bishops quickly closed the gap. The set remained tight throughout, with the Wildcats prevailing 25-23.
• NCWU used strong serving to post a quick 4-0 lead in the fourth. The Battling Bishops never trailed the rest of the set, winning 25-17.
• JWU rallied at the start of the fifth set. The Wildcats jumped out to a 5-1 lead, and led 8-2 at the switch of sides. JWU scored 7 of the final 11 points of the match to win 15-6.

Key Stats:

• JWU hit .252 to just .092 for NCWU.
• The Wildcats had a season-high 111 digs. 
• Ahmarie Young led the way on the evening with 15.5 points on 12 kills, 2 service aces, a block solo, and a block assist. She also added 28 digs. 
• Emily Arends added 9 kills and 5 digs, while Aimee Evans had 8 kills and 3 digs.
• Niecee Perofeta and Logan Smith combined for 40 assists.
• Mikayla Seymour-Tucker had 30 digs while Chanel Garcia added 14 more. 
• JWU improves to 8-5. NCWU falls to 3-5.

Up Next:

The Wildcats travel to Randolph College on Saturday, 9/17 for a tri-match with the host Wildcats and Regent University.