Rocky Mount, NC – After a successful Day One performance at the North Carolina Wesleyan Invitational, the Regent University Women's Volleyball team turned their attention to their two match ups on Saturday with Mary Baldwin University and North Carolina Wesleyan University. Today was an opportunity to come away with the Invitational Title, but they would first have to focus on one set at a time.
Game One
Freshman Rylee Stewart (Newport News, VA) got things started in the first set with three straight service points. That was followed by a block from fellow Freshman Annalise Todd (Raleigh, NC), which kept the Royals out in front. However, the Fighting Squirrels would battle back and eventually tie the score, until kills by Stewart and Sophomore Alaina Braun-Duin (Stephens City, VA) put Regent back in front, 8-5. A few points later, Braun-Duin stepped to the service line and delivered two straight aces, followed by a block by Freshman Emma Kristiansen (Sparta, NJ). The scoring continued as Junior Erin Saunders (Danville, VA) and Senior Eliana Winn (Albuquerque, NM) scored with back-to-back kills and that was followed by a service ace from Stewart. The Royals would keep up the pressure and a kill by Saunders allowed them to come away with the set win, 25-18.
The second set began with some back-and-forth until Braun-Duin and Todd separated things with two straight kills. A block by Stewart and Kristiansen, followed by a service ace from Freshman Keira Anderson (Leland, NC) would eventually increase the advantage to 8-4. A few points later, Saunders placed a kill down the line and then Stewart would add one of her own. Saunders continued her dominance at the net with two more kills, forcing Mary Baldwin to call a timeout. However, that did not slow things down as Regent was able to secure the set win, 25-15.
The Royals fell behind early in the third set, which eventually caused Coach Totherow to call a timeout. The Fighting Squirrels were able to string together a number of points to stay out in front, 12-5. However, the momentum began to change as Regent was able to force Mary Baldwin into committing errors. Unfortunately, they would drop their first set of the season, 25-10.
In the fourth set, Regent regained their footing as Saunders dominated at the net. In addition, Winn, along with Senior Brielle Peltonen (Virginia Beach, VA) and Todd put up points with kills of their own and after a service ace by Braun-Duin, the Royals were able to win the match by a final score of 3-1 (25-19).
Saunders led the way with 19 kills and 12 digs, while Braun-Duin finished with 10 kills and 4 service aces. In addition, Stewart dished out a team high 33 assists and Anderson and Sophomore Madison Hardiman (Memphis, TN) combined for 34 total digs.
Game Two
Regent came out fast in the first set scoring eight straight points behind kills from Saunders, Braun-Duin and Todd. The Battling Bishops did not have an answer on their side of the net as Saunders and Braun-Duin continued to add points to secure the set, 25-13.
The second set was much closer, as both teams battled back-and-forth. After a Kristiansen kill, the Royals found themselves with a five-point advantage, but NC Wesleyan eventually tied things up at 16-16. The score would change hands five more times until the Battling Bishops were able to take the set, 25-22.
The tight match continued in the third set with both teams seizing the momentum at different times. Service aces from Braun-Duin, along with kills from Sanders, Kristensen and Anderson kept Regent in front, but eventually they would fall as NC Wesleyan rallied to win the set 29-27 and then ultimately win the match in the fourth set by a final score of 3-1 (25-15).
Saunders finished with a team high 22 kills and 20 digs, while Braun-Duin added 15 kills and 15 digs. Anderson led the Royals in digs with 21 and Stewart led the way in assists, dishing out a career high 45.
Regent will be back in action on Friday, September 5th when they host the Royals Round-Up. They will kick off the Round-Up on the 5th against Warren Wilson College. First serve is set for 5:00pm.
