WINGATE – The UNCP women's volleyball opened its 2012 season with a quick 3-0 shutout in the Wingate Classic over Winston-Salem State Friday afternoon at the Cuddy Arena. 

The Lady Braves (1-0) played with a commanding defensive presence in their season opener against the Rams (0-1). In her first year as head coach, Angie Byrd said, "We out-blocked, out-served and out-defensed them… I'm pretty proud of the way we played today." UNCP quickly pushed ahead of Winston-Salem winning the first set 25-20 and collecting 12 kills and five team blocks. In the final two sets of the match, the Lady Braves continued to dominate on defense winning 25-14 and 25-19.

In her debut for the Black and Gold, junior Sawyer Gray registered a team-best nine kills and notched three service aces. Fellow newcomer, freshman Ashtin Truesdale collected six kills on 15 attacks for UNCP. Senior setter Ashlyn Rebok logged more assists than the entire Winston-Salem squad with 27. Truesdale also recorded two assists at the net. 

Rounding out the impressive defensive performance, the Lady Braves garnered 17 services aces and 30 digs compared to the Rams' three service aces. Junior Jennifer Grunden led the team with nine digs, while junior Marissa Baker and sophomore Leslie Millard each picked up four digs. 

The Lady Braves will continue in action in the second game of the Wingate Classic against Lees-McRae College at 1 p.m.