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BABSON PARK, Fla. – Behind a solid offensive and defensive performance from the Warner University women’s volleyball team, the Royals opened their 2010 season with a bang by sweeping through the competition of the Webber International Invitational Saturday at the Sabbagh Athletic Center to open the season at 3-0.
The Royals claimed the invitational title after topping Southeastern University (1-3) in a non-conference match 3-0 (25-11, 25-23, 25-23) Saturday morning, defeating reigning NCCAA-II National Championship Clearwater Christian College (1-2) 3-0 (28-26, 26-24, 25-21) Saturday afternoon and dropping host Webber International (2-1)in a five-set match 3-2 (26-24, 25-12, 16-25, 18-25, 15-11) in the tournament finale Saturday night. Warner’s win over Clearwater Christian was only their second win in their last six matchups with the Cougars while their win over Webber International was their first in their last 11 meetings with the Warriors.
Warner Newcomer Joelle Warring paced the Royals with 30 kills for the day while also lending a hand on defense as she totaled 29 digs. She also added nine assists, one service ace and one block assist.
Junior setter Aysha Nickels facilitated the Royals attack, dishing 79 assists for the day, averaging 7.2 assists per set. She too contributed on the defensive side of the ball, registering 18 digs over the course of the day.
Sophomore outside hitter Kimberlee Thomas added 28 kills and led the Royals with a .242 hitting percentage for the day. The 2009 service aces leader also added to the Royals scoring with five service aces. Defensively, she totaled 28 digs and registered one block assist. Brittany Woods also contributed to the attack with 25 total kills and tied to lead the team with seven service aces. The middle blocker also led the team with five total blocks.
Senior Precious Reese tallied 11 kills on the day to eclipse 500 career kills and four total blocks to surpass 100 career total blocks.
Libero Samantha Schild led the team with 51 digs, averaging 4.64 digs per set.
As a team, the Warner defense limited their competition to a .101 attack percentage collectively.
In the final match of the night, the Royals took an early two set lead over the Warriors, 2-0 before Webber International rallied to take the next two sets to tie the match and send it to a fifth deciding set. Despite opening the fifth set with a kill from Woods, the Royals found themselves an early 5-2 hole. However a kill from Reese sparked a 6-0 run, giving Warner an 8-5 edge. Nickles added back-to-back service aces during the run.
The hosts eventually pulled within one point, 10-11 thanks to a kill from Julianne Dougherty, however the Royals responded by closing the match on a 4-1 run to claim the win over the Warriors, courtesy of a game-winning kill from Woods.
Next on the slate for the Warner women’s volleyball team is a road match versus Florida College Tuesday in Temple Terrace, Fla. at 7 p.m.