BABSON PARK, Fla. (March 25, 2023) – In what was Senior Day and the regular-season finale, the Webber International University men's volleyball team took on Division-II Edward Waters University for the second time this season on Friday evening. The Warriors got their revenge after falling on the road with a 3-2 (11-25, 26-24, 27-29, 29-27, 15-12) comeback victory over the Tigers.
 
The Warriors (8-5 overall) were behind 2-1, but earned two narrow victories in the final two sets to edge out the Tigers (8-4).
 
Edward Waters cruised to a comfortable first set victory to take an early 1-0 lead in the match. Webber took an early lead in the second set and later held a 12-8 lead. The Tigers surged back, however, tying the set at 12 apiece. Once again tied at 15, kills from Carson Barnes and Andrea Di Paola jump started a 6-2 run which handed the Warriors a 21-17 lead. Five straight points from EWU saw it regain the lead at 22-21 before a 5-2 run to end the half gave Webber the win and tied the match at 1-1.
 
Tied at 22 late in the third set, the Warriors went on to hold set-point advantage a couple of times at 26-25 and 27-26. However, three scores in a row for the Tigers earned them the victory and the 2-1 lead.
 
Set number four once again needed overtime as the two teams found themselves battling back-and-forth late in the set. Although this time, it was EWU with the 27-26 advantage before three-straight points including two blocks, first by Lachlan Diamond and Barnes and then Diamond and Kevin McCarthy, tied the match at 2-2 for the Warriors.
 
The Warriors took an early 7-4 lead in the final set before a 4-0 run by the Tigers earned them the lead at 8-7. Tied at nine, Webber sparked a 5-0 run which included kills from McCarthy, Barnes, Peyten Young, and a block by Diamond and McCarthy. Leading 13-9, kills from McCarthy and Barnes capped off a thrilling comeback win.
 
For the second match in a row, Barnes led the team in kills with 16 and added seven digs and three total blocks. He was followed by McCarthy with a career-high 14 kills and six total blocks. Di Paola contributed with 10 kills and three blocks while Gunter Perea Quevedo ended with six kills and seven blocks.
 
Young tallied 47 assists and added four kills and nine digs as well. Diamond led the team and tied his season high in total blocks with eight. Kennette Esquilin finished with a team high 14 digs on the night.
 
The Warriors will now compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament which will begin on Thursday, March 30th, hosted by Life University in Marietta, Georgia.