SALISBURY, N.C. -- Catawba battled Wingate in a pair of tight sets, but would fall to the visiting Bulldogs in three sets in South Atlantic Conference volleyball victory on Saturday night at Goodman Gym. Wingate improves to 8-2 overall and 4-2 in the SAC with a 25-23, 25-15, 25-23 victory. The Catawba Indians drop to 6-5 and 3-2.

Catawba jumped to a 5-1 lead in the opening set and held the lead until the final stages. Down 20-16 after an ace by Catawba's Kylie Morgan, the Bulldogs reeled off three straight points to get within 20-19. Wingate tied the set at 21, but two kills from Allison Bryant kept the Lady Indians on top at 23-22. The next three points went to Wingate on a Catawba service error and two hitting errors to close the set.

Wingate took over midway through set two. Down 11-10, the Bulldogs moved ahead 18-14 on a kill by Maggie Young. After a kill by Catawba's Morgan, Wingate scored the final seven points of the set.

The Lady Indians led most of set three, but Wingate battled back from an 18-15 deficit. Three straight kills by Sophie Schaff erased a 20-18 deficit and put the Bulldogs up 21-20. Catawba tied the set at 22-22, but two errors brought Wingate to match point. Raytchelle Miranda staved off one point with a kill, but an attack error would give the Bulldogs the match point.

Bryant led Catawba with 15 kills and added 10 digs. Morgan and Miranda followed with seven kills. Jordan Gore posted four blocks and Payton Medich handed out 32 assists. Catawba had nine service errors with just one ace in the match.

Wingate was led by Shaff's 12 kills and four blocks. Maggie Young followed with 10 kills. Taryn Pryce recorded 13 digs and Shannon Kasprak had 33 assists.

Catawba hosts Queens in another league match on Wednesday at 7 p.m.