BABSON PARK, Fla. (September 18, 2019) – Despite playing in front of a packed Sabbagh Athletic Center and with an energized home crowd, the Webber International University women's volleyball team lost to rival Warner University 3-1 (17-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-20) on Wednesday night in Babson Park, Florida.

It was the first loss for Webber (4-5 overall, 1-2 The Sun Conference) to Warner (3-4, 1-1) since October 31, 2015, a year in which the Royals went undefeated in conference matches. It was also the Warriors' third loss at home in three tries so far in 2019.

In the most recent matchup between the Crooked Lake rivals on Wednesday, the Warriors won the opening set 25-17 behind a 7-1 run that made it 21-15 Webber.

The Warriors hit .257 percent as a team in the opening set compared to -.088 percent for Warner, but that changed over each of the next three sets with Warner reaching .263 percent in the third set and Webber dipping down to .083 percent in the fourth.

In the third set with the match tied at 1-1, Webber led 20-17 after a kill by Samantha Davila; but in the end, the Warriors could not hold on as Warner finished the frame on a 8-2 run starting with three straight errors by Webber.

In the final set, Webber trailed 20-11 but used five straight points to try to get back into it at 20-16. The Warriors then got to within three points of the Royals at 21-18 after another kill by Davila and a service ace by Madelyn Glouner, capping a 7-1 Warrior run, but a 3-0 spurt by Warner after that gave the Royals' match point.

Despite losing in four sets, Webber did outhit Warner .160 percent to .147 percent, made six less errors, scored 57 points compared to 56 for Warner, and out-blocked the Royals 11-2.

Webber's Head Volleyball Coach, Gretchen Hand, spoke after the match, "Webber is battling with injuries, but we are improving with a new lineup and we look forward to seeing Warner in the future."

Laura Embry led the Warriors with 20 assists while Brianda Valdez recorded her second straight double-double after finishing with 14 digs and 12 assists. Kalameli Matautia nearly recorded her second straight double-double as well, finishing with 10 digs and eight kills, and Glouner finished with a strong stat line of eight digs, six kills, five blocks and three aces. Svenja Koenig added seven kills and a .375 attack percentage.

The Warriors will get a chance to right the ship in only three days on Saturday, September 21, on the road at Florida Memorial University. The match is set to begin at 2 p.m. in Miami Gardens, Florida.