MARIETTA, Ga. (February 18, 2021) – For the first time in three seasons, the Webber International University men's volleyball team fell in its Mid-South Conference opener as this time, the Warriors were swept 3-0 (26-24, 25-15, 25-22) by No. 13 nationally-ranked Life University on Thursday night inside the Eagles' Nest.

With what was Webber's fourth loss in a row this season and fifth straight loss in five tries all-time against Life, the Warriors fell to 2-4 overall on the season and 0-1 in the Mid-South Conference. Life, meanwhile, improved to 6-0 and 3-0 so far this season with what was also the Running Eagles' seventh win in a row overall dating back to last season.

Chris Ludwig led Webber with nine kills while Peyten Young added six kills on a .556 attack percentage. Justin Beecher dished out 19 assists while matching Daniel Hermida with a team-high six digs. Young and Zachary Ayala also both finished with a team-high three blocks.

The Warriors had a chance to steal set number one as a kill by Ludwig on the assist from Beecher made it 24-23 Webber, but back-to-back kills by the Running Eagles followed by a Warrior attack error gave the first set to Life.

In the final set, Webber trailed by scores of 12-5, 17-9, 20-11, 22-16 and 24-19 before a kill by Ayala followed by two attack errors by Life made it interesting at 24-22, but a final kill for the Running Eagles ended the night.

Two days from now, the Warriors will continue MSC play on the road as they travel to Reinhardt University for a 4:30 p.m. match on Saturday, February 20. Last season in 2021, the Warriors defeated Reinhardt 3-2 at home after winning each of the first two sets of the match before needing to win 15-10 in the fifth set.