Kingspoint, TN – The Webber International university men's volleyball team started out their conference tournament play in the AAC against the Truett McConnell Bears on Thursday afternoon. Facing off for the third time this season, the Warriors made quick work of the Bears, sweeping them in three sets for the third time, and advancing the Warriors to the semi-finals on Friday evening.
 
The Warriors dominated the Bears in every positive statistical category on Thursday. The most impressive stat for the Warriors was their 18 service aces in three sets, which set an AAC tournament record for most in one match. They would also lead in kills with 36 and blocks with six to help complete the sweep. Gunter Perea would earn the Warriors first service ace of the afternoon and Carson Barnes with two early kills helped get the Warriors an early lead in set one. Daniel Beacham and Thoralf Schmelzer would both rattle off two straight kills each, pushing the Warriors lead out to 10-5. Two more kills from Perea and Barnes forced a Bears timeout with the Warriors leading 15-11. Following the timeout, the Warriors tallied off a 4-0 run to push the game out of reach as the attacking frenzy continued with Kevin McCarthy adding three kills to wrap up set one 25-18.
 
The Warriors feeling the early momentum shift in their favor after their set one victory, came out on fire in set two. The Warriors would rack up 10 of their 18 service aces in the second set along with 11 more kills trouncing the Bears 25-10 to take a 2-0 lead in the match. Set three was started off a Trent Massey kill, followed by a kill and ace from Beacham. The Bears feeling the pressure from being swept, played well in the beginning portion of the set, taking a 7-5 lead, but the Warriors would bounce right back with a 6-0 run. Kai Desauguste would be responsible for the Warriors run, racking up four aces for the Warriors in a six serve span to help push the Warriors back in front. Leading 12-7 the Warriors would not look back and continued their impressive play. Barnes led the Warriors with seven kills with Schmelzer just behind him with six. Ayden Keeter, the assist man, led the Warriors with 27 assists and threw in three of his own kills as well. The Warriors would wrap up set three 25-15 to complete the sweep of the Bears and advance to the semi-finals on Friday evening.
 
The Warriors will be back in action tomorrow evening at 6:00 PM as they will take on the winner of Life University and Warner University, who play later today.
 
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