BABSON PARK, Fla. (September 17, 2022) – The Webber International University women's volleyball team opened Sun Conference play on Saturday afternoon as it hosted the Ave Maria University Gyrenes, resulting in a close 3-1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-15, 25-23) loss for the Warriors.
 
It was a battle of two win streaks as the Warriors (10-5 overall, 0-1 SUN) had won 10-straight matches and the Gyrenes (9-2, 2-0) had won eight, now nine, in a row.
 
With Ave Maria leading 5-4 to start the first set, the Warriors would score six-straight points that included three service aces from Gabriela Lopez as well as kills from Bailey Sikkema and Paysee Crow to jumpt out to a 10-5 lead. The Gyrenes would chip away at the lead as the set went on, cutting the lead to just one at 23-22. Back-to-back attack errors from Ave Maria would earn Webber the set victory and the 1-0 lead.
 
The Gyrenes would adjust at the break and start the second set off strong offensively, taking an early 5-2 lead. The Warriors fought back to within one at 9-8, but a 7-1 run from Ave Maria earned it a 16-9 advantage. Webber would not go away, getting within four at 22-18, but the Gyrenes did enough to hold them off and even the match 1-1.
 
Ave Maria's offensive momentum was too much for the Warriors in set three. The Gyrenes were quickly ahead 11-3 and just kept their foot on the gas, winning the set 25-15. The fourth set was much more competitive from both sides. Ave Maria would lead 16-15 before a kill from Alexis Turner followed by three-straight aces from Sikkema would hand the Warriors a 19-16 lead. A 6-1 run from the Gyrenes would see them retake the lead at 22-20. Kills by Cintia Lorena and Crow would level up the set yet again, but Ave Maria would score twice in a row to regain the lead and see out the win.
 
Offensively, the Warriors were led by Turner with eight kills followed by Teodora Ranitovic with seven and Lorena with six. Amanda Vega led the team with 14 assists and Crow was close behind with 13 of her own.
 
Bailey Berger ended the match with a game-high 16 digs and Vega was one dig shy of a double-double with nine. Kiersten Tisdale and Sikkema each added eight digs as well, followed by Turner with six. Savannah Wilhite led the Warriors with four total blocks to go with her five kills. She was followed by Lorena with three total blocks and Sikkema with two.
 
It will be a short break for the Warriors as they return to action on Wednesday, September 21st, as they battle the College of Coastal Georgia at 7 p.m. inside the Sabbagh Athletic Center. Webber then travels to South Florida for its final non-conference matchup against Florida National University on Friday, September 23rd.