Miami Gardens, FL – The Webber International Women's Volleyball team traveled to Miami Gardens Saturday afternoon to take on the St. Thomas Bobcats. The Warriors showed fight throughout the match but ultimately fell to the Bobcats 3-0.
The first set started out with promise for the Warriors, as Savanna Wilhite got on the board early with a solo block. Bailey Sikkema added in two kills before a St. Thomas service error put the Warriors within three points of the Bobcats down 7-4. St. Thomas scored seven of the next eight points with Delanie Johnson adding a kill to break up the run, however, the Warriors sat with a 14-5 deficit. Down 17-6, Webber was able to gain momentum following a block from Wilhite and Johnson. Wilhite added two kills, Cintia Lorena added one, and Sikkema and Teodora Ranitovic combined for a block to bring the Warriors within seven points, 19-12. The Bobcats took six of the next seven points to take set 1 25-13.
The Warriors took an early advantage in set 2 thanks in part to Lorena who had a solo block and a kill. The Warriors would find themselves down one point midway through the second set, with Lorena, Johnson, and Nadia Reid adding kills to keep the Warriors in it 10-9. Despite another run from the Bobcats which saw the lead extended to 6, the Warriors continued to fight. Kiersten Tisdale added a service ace and the team clawed its way back into the game. Following the ace, Webber scored four of the next 6 points to drop the deficit to one, 20-19. St. Thomas would end set 2 on a 5-2 run, ending set 2 with a score of 25-21.
Set 3 was controlled by the Bobcats, who took a commanding 12-3 lead early in the set. The Warriors did not quit, as Reid, Sikkema, and Jaizah Anderson picked up kills while Rylee Bolser added a block. St. Thomas would prove to be too much, as they ended the third set on a 13-6 run, outpacing the Warriors 25-9 and winning the match 3-0.
Sikkema led the team with six kills and Wilhite led with four blocks. Ana Clara Araujo added 10 assists while Bailey Berger led the team with six digs.
The Warriors will be back in action on Wednesday, September 20th when Webber hosts the Southeastern Fire in the Sabbagh Center. Head to EventBrite to get tickets.
For the latest and most up-to-date information on Warrior Athletics. Please visit www.webberathletics.com. Follow us on Twitter- @WebberAthletics, Instagram- @Webber_Athletics, and Facebook by searching Webber International University Athletics.
