Norfolk, VA – The impact that players can make on a program can go beyond the court and many times have an impact on the daily lives of those players and campus communities they serve. Over the past three and four years, the Regent University Women's Volleyball team has had two players that exemplify the values every coach wants, and today the Royals celebrated their two Seniors prior to their match-up against Johnson & Wales University. Seniors Brielle Peltonen (Virginia Beach, VA) and Eliana Winn (Albuquerque, NM) have played an instrumental role in the success of the program, leading Regent to a Regional Championship and a National Championship appearance, while becoming recognizable leaders within the Royals community. Today it was Regent's opportunity to thank them for everything they have done to make the program and University a place where people can grow spiritually, academically and athletically.
With the emotion from the pre-game Senior Day Ceremony, the Royals struggled early and lost the first two sets. However, with the largest crowd of the year on their side and their backs against the wall, Regent came alive and fed off their energy. Junior Erin Saunders (Danville, VA) and Freshman Emma Kristiansen (Sparta, NJ) found their power at the net as they combined for 24 kills, 14 and 10 respectively, while Freshman Rylee Stewart (Newport News, VA) had her second-best game of the season dishing out 39 assists. Stewart has now become the Royals Single Season Assist Record Holder with her performance. Kristiansen also teamed up with Winn to record 7 total blocks and Sophomore Madison Hardiman (Memphis, TN), Saunders, Peltonen and Stewart had 62 digs between them. This all-around effort propelled the Royals to a dramatic come from behind reverse sweep to send their Seniors out with a win, 3-2 (19-25, 20-25, 25-14, 25-20, 15-9).
Regent will now turn its focus to the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference Tournament which begins November 14th in Santa Cruz, CA.
Senior Day Recognitions
Eliana Winn
Eliana, from Albuquerque, NM has appeared in 181 sets, while tallying 175 kills, 85 blocks and 23 service aces. This season Eliana is currently ranked in the top 15 in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference in Blocks Per Set. In addition, earlier this year she was named to this season's Royals Roundup All-Tournament Team. Academically, Elaina is a member of the Honors College and has made the Dean's List in all three of her years here on campus. She has also earned the Athletics Academic Athletic Award and just this week has been named an NCCAA Scholar-Athlete. Her favorite memory during her career is winning the South Regional Championship game against Carolina University her freshmen year. Winn will graduate this Spring with a degree in Criminal Justice and plans to move back to New Mexico and work as a Paralegal and save up money for Law School, either back at Regent or at the University of New Mexico where she will study to be an attorney.
Brielle Peltonen
Brielle, from Virginia Beach, VA, has appeared in 227 sets, while recording 282 digs, 80 kills and 34 service aces. During her career, Brielle was named a Female Student-Athlete of the Month on October 2023, received the Athletic Department's female servant leadership award her sophomore year, the Volleyball team's "Grit" award her junior year and was also a part of the Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society for Education. Her favorite memory is beating Carolina University at their own house to become regional champions which allowed them to go to nationals that year, which had never been done before in school history. Brielle will graduate with a degree in Education and will be heading into the Virginia Beach school system to teach elementary school and will also coach Volleyball at both the school and club level.
