BABSON PARK, Fla. (March 21, 2018) – The Webber International University men's volleyball team hosted Crooked Lake rival and nationally recognized Warner University in the Sabbagh Athletic Center on Wednesday night, falling in three sets (25-21, 26-24, 25-12).

The young Warrior team came into the meeting with much more confidence than its previous match with the Royals, providing a challenge in the first two sets. In the first meeting between Webber and Warner back on February 21, the Warriors dropped the first two sets 25-9 and 25-18 before finally battling in the third set 25-22.

The Warriors had very similar efforts in the kills department from the last time the two teams met with Zachary Ayala (7), Chris Ludwig (5) and Liam Gilchrist (5) all just one kill shy from their stat line at Warner.

An area that Webber vastly improved in and has been on a roll in as of late was blocks. During the first meeting at Warner, the Warriors did not record a single block; Wednesday on the other hand, was a much different result with seven blocks. Leading the way was Jack Chernak with six blocks, Justin Beecher with three blocks and Gilchrist adding two blocks as well.

Webber also improved from the last bout with eight more digs (24) than last time (16). Both Ayala and Gilchrist only recorded one dig previously, but in Wednesday's match, they led the team with Ayala digging out seven and Gilchrist with six digs himself.

Other notable stats were Ludwig leading the team with three aces with Kyle Robertson and Beecher combining for 14 assists for the Warriors.

Webber (5-12 overall, 4-6 Southeast Athletic Conference) and Warner (14-2, 10-1) will meet up one more time for an exhibition matchup on Monday, April 2, in Lake Wales, Florida, before the start of the first and only SAC Tournament at Campbellsville University on Thursday, April 5.

The Warriors will finish SAC competition in Laurinburg, North Carolina, against Bluefield College at 3 p.m. and then at 5 p.m. against St. Andrews University on Saturday, March 31.