Rocky Mount, NC – The Regent University Women's Volleyball team traveled to the Tarheel State on Friday to participate in the North Carolina Wesleyan Invitational. The Royals were one of four teams vying for the tournament title, but they would first have to face Penn State – Dubois in the opening game. Although a number of Regent players were seeing their first ever collegiate action, that did not stop them from showing why the program has been so successful over the past two seasons.
In the first set, the Royals jumped out to a quick lead behind the serving of Junior Erin Saunders (Danville, VA). Freshman Rylee Stewart (Newport News, VA) controlled the offense by setting up her hitters, forcing a Nittany Lions timeout with Regent leading 12-4. Fellow Freshman Annalise Todd (Raleigh, NC) and Sophomore Alaina Braun-Duin (Stephens City, VA) delivered big hits at the net allowing Regent to take the set, 25-7.
The Royals fell behind early in the second set, forcing Coach Totherow to call a quick timeout. That would prove to pay off as Regent settled down and was able to cut into the deficit. A kill by Saunders, followed by an ace from Freshman Emma Kristiansen (Sparta, NJ), trimmed the lead to one and forced PSU-Dubois to call a timeout of their own. The Royals would eventually tie the score and then take the lead on a point by Senior Brielle Peltonen (Virginia Beach, VA). Fellow Senior Eliana Winn (Albuquerque, NM) delivered a big block and then Saunders and Kristiansen continued their dominance at the net to complete the comeback and earn the set win, 25-18.
The third set began with more service aces from Saunders, followed by back-to-back kills from Braun-Duin. Winn would string together a few service points, and all of the sudden Regent found themselves out in front 10-3. The Nittany Lions were able to cut into the advantage until Kristiansen delivered consecutive service points for the Royals. After two straight kills by Saunders and Braun-Duin, Regent was in full control securing the sweep by a final of 3-0 (25-14).
Braun-Duin led the Royals will 14 kills, 6 digs and 2 service aces, while Saunders recorded 6 kills, 5 digs and 3 services aces. In addition, Stewart dished out a team high 18 assists and Sophomore Madison Hardiman (Memphis, TN) led the team with 7 digs. The Royals will be back in action for day two of the Invitational as they face Mary Baldwin University at 9:00am and North Carolina Wesleyan University at 3:00pm.
