LAKE WALES, Fla. (February 18, 2022) - The Webber International University men's volleyball team matched up against its Crooked Lake rivals, Warner University, for the first time so far this season on Friday night. The Warriors eight-match winning streak came to an end as they suffered their first conference defeat to the Royals, 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-22).

The Royals (4-3 overall, 4-3 MSC) hit well in the match, finishing with a hitting percentage of .367. The Warriors (10-4, 5-1) struggled slightly in terms of hitting percentage as they hit jut .167 in comparison.

There would be several big momentum swings in the first set starting with Warner. With the match tied at nine, the Royals would go on a 4-0 run to take a 13-9 lead. Webber would later score three-straight points to bring it back within one at 16-15 before Warner would later go on a 6-0 run to earn match point at 24-16. With their backs against the wall, the Warriors would then score five-in-a-row before a kill from the Royals would seal the set one victory 25-21.

Warner would start the second set on an 11-2 run and never look back, winning set number two comfortably at 25-16. The Warriors would put up a fight in the third set, battling back to within one at 23-22 after previously being behind 20-16. However, a kill from the Royals followed by an attack error from the Warriors would end the set and the match as Warner would complete the sweep.

The Warriors were led by Chris Ludwig with 12 kills on .360 hitting followed by Daniel Hermida with eight kills, three aces, and a team-high seven digs to his credit. Tinaishe Ndavazocheva ended the match with five kills and a hitting percentage of .364 while tallying four digs on the defensive end. Christopher Padilla fled the team with 22 assists and added an ace and a block as well.

Next up, the Warriors have a five-day break before they will host Truett McConnell University on Thursday, February 24, at 7 p.m.