MARIETTA, Ga. (February 16, 2019) – In its second of three road trips to the Peach State throughout its 2019 season, the Webber International University men's volleyball team defeated NCAA Division-II Emmanuel College 3-2 (21-25, 25-23, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13) in nonconference action on Friday, February 15, in Franklin Springs, Georgia, before coming back the next day and falling in a competitive three-set match against Mid-South Conference foe Life University 3-0 (25-23, 28-26, 25-21) on Saturday, February 16, in Marietta, Georgia.

In the win over Emmanuel, Webber (3-4 overall, 2-1 Mid-South Conference) won both the second and third sets on kills by Luke Taffer with both assists going to Kyle Robertson.

Then, after Emmanuel broke a 20-20 tie with a 5-1 run to win the fourth set and force the deciding frame, Webber jumped out to a 12-6 lead before Emmanuel closed the gap to one at 12-11 with five straight points.

Fortunately, Webber held on as a kill by Liam Gilchrist made it 13-11 and a kill by Zachary Ayala made it 14-12 before an Emmanuel service error ended the match in the Warriors' favor.

Four different Warriors recorded 11 or more kills against Emmanuel as Gilchrist led the way with 19 kills and a .255 attack percentage. Next was Justin Beecher with 14 kills and a .226 attack percentage, followed by Ayala with 12 kills and Taffer with 11 kills and a .360 attack percentage.

Robertson dished out 43 assists while defensively, Steven Bartlett led the way with 18 digs while Taffer, Beecher and Pedro Lepever each added three blocks. Ayala, Taffer and Beecher also each added seven digs as well to their well-rounded efforts.

Against Life, Webber was unable to come out on top in any set despite being tied at 22-22 in the first, leading 24-22 in the second and trailing by only one at 22-21 in the third.

Taffer recorded 13 kills with a great .619 attack percentage, and Ayala was next with 10 kills. Robertson recorded 22 assists while Tim Rouch Jr. added 13 helpers. Bartlett again led in digs as well, finishing with 17. In blocks, Taffer and Lepever led with five followed by Ayala with four and Beecher again with three.

"Day one was an epic match and a great team win," spoke Head Men's Volleyball Coach Eric Praetorius. "Everyone contributed and we really dominated the serving line. We didn't have it day two. We took too many jumps in a five set classic on the first day and just couldn't win the play at the net on day two."

Webber's 2019 home opener is next up as the Warriors welcome their sister-school St. Andrews University into the Sabbagh Athletic Center at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 22.