Danville, VA – Friday night was a Historic day for the Regent University Men's Volleyball team as they took the court for the first time in program history. Today's matches would test the Royals as they participated in a tri-match against Warren Wilson College and host Averett University. In addition, it was a homecoming for Head Coach Katelyn Totherow as she opened the season in her hometown and on the floor where she played her college volleyball.
Game One
Regent began the first set like they had been there before, as Graduate Student Aaron Campbell (Virginia Beach, VA) set the tone at both the net and the service line to help the Royals jump out to a commanding lead, 14-4. A few points later, fellow Graduate Student Colby Yawn (Chesapeake, VA) delivered a kill to keep Regent out in front, while Graduate Student Jaxson Gray (Chesapeake, VA) was able to score some points from his serve. It would not take long as Yawn served up two straight aces of his own to help the Royals earn the win, 25-8.
Freshman Keith Larkin (Snohomish, WA) got things started in the second set with a kill. However, the Owls kept it close until Campbell stepped up for another ace to increase the advantage to four points and that was followed up by another ace from Gray. Yawn also continued to dominate the service line and suddenly Regent was in front 16-6. Freshman Preston Nemeti (Burke, VA) served up his first ace of the match and once again, Campbell controlled the net to propel the Royals to the win, 25-13.
The third set saw Sophomore Ariel Downer (Spring Lake, NC) set his team up for successful kills. The trio of Campbell, Yawn and Gray would continue their offensive dominance, while Freshman Lucas Whitman (Suffolk, VA) and Freshman Theydon Roles (King George, VA) also had success. Warren Wilson would attempt to cut into the deficit; however, Regent eventually pulled way for the set and the sweep, earning program's first ever win, 25-17.
Campbell led the Royals with 8 kills, 7 digs and 2 aces, while Yawn finished with 6 kills to go along with 12 assists and 3 aces. In addition, Gray led the way on the service line with 4 aces.
Game Two
Regent fell behind early in the first set but kills by Whitman and Nemeti pushed the Royals in front, 10-9. They would eventually increase the advantage to four points after a Campbell kill. Another kill by Gray increased it to six points and Regent would not look back as they won the set 25-19.
The second set saw both teams make comebacks as they traded the lead on numerous occasions. After being down, the Royals fought their way back, behind Yawn and Whitman, to grab a small lead, 22-21. However, the Cougars were able to tie the score on an ace, but after a Campbell kill and an error by Averett, Regent would win the set, 26-24.
The Royals' momentum carried over to the third set as they continued to find ways to score points. Downer, played his best set of the day, keeping the ball in play as Campbell, Whitman, Yawn and Gray finished things off to secure the win and sweep, 25-17.
Downer led Regent with a career high 20 digs, while Yawn finished with 12 digs. In addition, Campbell and Whitman each finished with 11 kills apiece.
The Royals will be back in action on Tuesday, January 28th when they travel to Winston-Salem to face Carolina University. First serve is scheduled for 7:00pm.
