Saint Mary's, MD – For the remainder of the month of September the Regent University Women's Volleyball team is on the road and today they found themselves in the State of Maryland for an afternoon tri-match. In the first game they would face Eastern Mennonite University, followed by a game against host Saint Mary's College of Maryland.
Game One
The first set began with a block by Senior Eliana Winn (Albuquerque, NM) and Junior Erin Saunders (Danville, VA) to get things started. After falling behind, Sophomore Alaina Braun-Duin (Stephens City, VA) tied the score with a kill and then Saunders gave the Royals the lead with a kill of her own. Freshman Emma Kristiansen (Sparta, MJ) would get in on the action with another kill, followed by one from Braun-Duin. Regent began to settle in and after a kill from Saunders their lead was 11-8. The Royals continued to create points as Freshman Annalise Todd (Raleigh, NC) and Braun-Duin each took sets from Freshman Rylee Stewart (Newport News, VA) and converted kills, forcing an EMU timeout. The score would tighten, but a kill by Saunders gave Regent the set win 25-20.
Early in the second set, Todd and Winn put points on the board to help the Royals go out in front. Todd continued to dominate at the net to help Regent retain the lead, but EMU began to chip away at it. However, Todd would do it again and then Senior Brielle Peltonen (Virginia Beach, VA) delivered a service ace, along with a number of service points, to stop the run. Eventually the lead would increase to nine points after a Braun-Duin kill, forcing EMU to call a time out. Braun-Duin and Saunders continued to score and a service ace from Kristiansen was all the Royals would need as they took the set 25-12.
EMU went out in front to begin the third set and suddenly Regent found themselves trailing 8-5. However, Saunders woke up the Royals' offense to pull them to within one point. Unfortunately, every time Regent made a run, EMU would answer and as Coach KT called a timeout, they trailed 18-14. The Royals were able to score a few more points but dropped the set 25-18.
Behind kills from Braun-Duin and Kristiansen, Regent jumped out to the early lead to begin the fourth set. However, once again, EMU was able to tie the score, until a kill from Saunders put the Royals back out in front. Two straight service aces and a kill by Stewart increased the advantage but EMU was able to make a run and tie the score again. The score would change hands on numerous occasions but in the end, Saunders took control and Sophomore Madison Hardiman (Memphis, TN) sealed it with an ace, as Regent would win by a final score of 3-1 (25-20).
Saunders finished with a double-double recording 16 kills and 14 digs, while Braun-Duin also had a double-double with 13 total kills and 14 digs. In addition, Stewart dished out 33 assists and 16 digs to go along with 3 service aces. On the defensive side Hardiman finished with 26 digs.
Game Two
The first set did not begin the way the Royals had hoped for as they fell behind quickly. Saunders and Braun-Duin were able to deliver kills, while Winn came up with a big block to keep them within striking distance. Eventually, Stewart and Todd connected on a big scoring play and that was followed by another kill by Saunders. In addition, Kristiansen delivered a powerful kill and followed that up with a block to trim the advantage. However, Regent was unable to close the gap and would fall 25-18.
The momentum carried over into the second set as the Royals and Seahawks were tied early on. Braun-Duin continued her dominance at the net with another strong kill, and all of the sudden Regent had a three-point lead. Saint Mary's battled back, but the Royals would take advantage of errors to keep their advantage. Eventually the score was tied, but the Seahawks were able to go out in front, forcing a Royals' timeout. Todd and Kristiansen stepped up and delivered a block to stop the momentum, while Braun-Duin and Todd came through with crucial kills. However, Regent would ultimately fall in the set 25-19.
Saunders started the third set off with a kill to the back of the court and then added two more points off of her serve. The score would go back-and-forth, but the Seahawks eventually took a two-point advantage. Kristiansen, who was having a strong day, kept the score close with a kill but Saint Mary's answered with one of their own. Unfortunately, the Royals could not complete the comeback and would fall by a final score of 3-0 (25-19).
Saunders and Todd each finished with 8 kills, while Saunders also tied Hardiman for team leading digs with 11. Coming off the bench, Freshman Daily Davis (Bristow, VA) dished out a career high 20 assists and Winn would record a total of 2 blocks.
Regent will be back in action on Friday, September 19th when they are back on the road to face Sweet Briar College. First Serve is scheduled for 4:00pm.
