SYLVANIA, Ohio. (November 18, 2017) – The Warriors got off to a great start in their quest to win an NAIA Opening Round matchup for the first time in program history, but the Webber International University women's volleyball team was unable to capitalize after winning the first set and eventually fell to Lourdes University 3-1 (23-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-13) on Saturday night at the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.

The Warriors trailed 19-13 in the first set before battling back to within three multiple times and then winning the set by taking each of its final six points. Carlee Baxter earned a kill and an ace to get Webber's 6-0 run at the end going, and then Cameron Neely and Virginia Salanoa-Sagapolu finished it off with back-to-back kills.



The second and third sets were both close as Webber led 19-18 in the second before Lourdes scored five straight and closed the set on a 7-2 run. The third set followed a similar script as after another 19-19 tie, the Gray Wolves won the final four points of the frame to take the two sets to one advantage.

Head Coach Lindsey Martin had this to say after the match, "All too often, people focus on the end and not the journey. Our journey to the opening round of the NAIA tournament was magical. We fought battles against teams and we won; we fought battles against teams and lost. Each game, each match these players found ways outside of themselves to play with heart, compassion, intensity and focus. Although tonight was not one of those winning nights, it's important to remember that one match doesn't define a player. These girls have given so much of themselves to this sport and this team, and although tonight was disappointing, I couldn't be prouder of them as a group for what they have done this season. The initial sting of tonight will eventually fade and they will remember this season for what it was, a magical time of friendship and growth in their personal lives and in the sport they love. Hold your heads high, Warriors; we are still proud of you."



Webber was led by strong games defensively from senior Michelle Calderon with 24 digs, freshman Emily Bowen with 16 digs and Baxter also with 16 digs. Freshman Gilmary Ramos was next with eight digs while sophomore Amber Lake had seven.

Baxter also added 37 assists, three blocks and a .308 attack percentage on five kills. Brittany Taksas and Salanoa-Sagapolu led the Warriors in the kills' column with 12 apiece, while Taksas finished with a very strong .500 attack percentage, a feat she accomplished 10 times throughout the season.



Taksas also added four blocks while Salanoa-Sagapolu, Neely and Kyleigh Stottlemyer each finished with two blocks.

Bowen was next in kills with eight as she nearly earned a double-double, and she was followed by Neely with six kills.



The Warriors wrap up their 2017 season with an overall record of 25-6 as Saturday's match represented the third time in three appearances that Webber fell in the NAIA Opening Round. Similar to Saturday's result, Webber fell in the NAIA Opening Round by a score of 3-1 in 2016 after winning the first set against the University of Mobile.

Lourdes' record moved to 22-11 overall as the Gray Wolves advanced to the NAIA Pool Play Round. Lourdes is now 2-1 in the NAIA Opening Round and is 4-6 overall in the NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship.



The Warriors will return to action in the spring for the beach volleyball season to defend their Rox Small College National Championship, and then will return to the indoor season next fall in an attempt to reach the NAIA Opening Round for a third consecutive year. Webber will return its Sun Conference Setter of the Year and three first-team all-conference performers next season.