Norfolk, VA – After a second-place finish last weekend at the NC Wesleyan Invitational, the Regent University Women's Volleyball team made their first appearance on their home court as host of the inaugural Royals Roundup. The field included four teams competing in a round robin format and Regent would kick-off the event on Friday against fellow Coast-To-Coast Conference member Warren Wilson College.
The Royals jumped out to a quick lead to begin the first set behind four kills from Junior Erin Saunders (Danville, VA). After another two kills by Senior Eliana Winn (Albuquerque, NM) and Freshman Emma Kristiansen (Sparta, NJ) Regent was able to extend their lead to seven points, 19-12. Saunders and Kristiansen would continue their great play at the net, helping the Royals take the set, 25-14.
The momentum carried over to the second set, as Sophomore Alaina Braun-Duin (Stephens City, VA) and Freshman Rylee Stewart (Newport News, VA) converted kills of their own, and that was followed by consecutive points by Saunders. She would add a service ace to go along with kills from Braun-Duin and Winn, allowing them to earn the set win, 25-20.
The third set was a back-and-forth between the two teams with the Owls grabbing the advantage early, 8-4. Eventually, Kristiansen, Braun-Duin and Stewart were able to string together points to pull even at 10-10. The score changed hands numerous times, but Regent would fall just short 31-29.
The Royals regrouped in the fourth set as their offense came alive again. After trailing by one-point, Regent scored five straight points behind kills by Braun-Duin and Winn, then Kristiansen and Saunders added two more points to keep the Royals out in front. However, Warren Wilson would begin a comeback to regain the lead but serving from Stewart helped Regent close things out for a final score of 3-1 (25-21).
Saunders finished the match with 19 kills, while Stewart dished out a team high 36 assists. In addition, Sophomore Madison Hardiman (Memphis, TN) added 25 digs and Winn finished with two blocks,
The Royals will be back in action on Saturday, September 6th as they play two games in Day Two of the Roundup against Mary Baldwin University and Christendom College. First serves are scheduled for 1:00pm and 5:00pm.
