Miami Gardens, FL – The Webber International Women's Volleyball team traveled back to Miami Gardens on Saturday afternoon to take on the 11th ranked St. Thomas Bobcats for the second time in the week. After a tough battle, the result was like the last one as the Warriors fell 3-1 to start SUN Conference play.
The Warriors got out to a quick lead in the first set, after a kill from Daphne Wibranowski and an attack error from the Bobcats gave the Warriors a 5-4 lead. The Bobcats went on a run after that, with kills from Savanna Wilhite and Delanie Johnson breaking it up and keeping the Warriors within four points, 13-9. Webber would proceed to be outscored 12-5 over the next 17 points, as a Warrior service error ended the first set 25-14.
It was more of the same in the second set as STU scored six straight to open the set. The Warriors got three back with a block from Rylee Bolser and Cintia Lorena, and a service ace from Abigail Baxter. The Bobcats got the next four before both teams traded back-to-back two-point swings, as the Warriors kept the set deficit to five points multiple times at 12-7, 9-14, and four points at 17-13. St. Thomas, however, scored eight of the next 12 points to take the second set 25-17.
Webber came out swinging in the third set, taking a 6-2 lead with blocks from Wilhite and Johnson and Bolser and Kaylee Hunt. After tying the set at 11-11, both teams went back and forth in points. Webber took a 15-14 lead after a kill from Johnson and a block from Bolser and Luci Marinella. The set continued going back and forth as Hunt, Nadia Reid, and Wibranowski all picked up kills. The Warriors went down but tied the set 20-20. Another three-point run by the Bobcats prompted a Webber timeout and ignited the Warriors, who outscored the Bobcats 6-1 to take set three 26-24.
The fourth set started close as the Warriors and Bobcats traded points, making it 5-4 in favor of STU after the first nine points. St. Thomas began to pull away at this point as the Warriors were unable to compound their runs. Two kills from Johnson put the Warriors down 10-7 and then 12-8 respectively. Webber was outscored 13-4 over the next 17 points as they dropped set four 25-12 and the match 3-1.
Wibranowski and Johnson led the Warriors with seven kills apiece. Marinella had nine assists while Alanys Rodriguez had eight. Bolser led the team with eight blocks while Baxter led with 10 digs.
The Warriors will be back in action on Wednesday, September 11th when they host the Warner Royals for their home opener in the Sabbagh Athletic Center.
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