Newport News, VA - The Regent University Women's Volleyball team traveled through the tunnel to the peninsula tonight for a season opening match-up with #19 Nationally Ranked Christopher Newport University. While the Royals fell by 3-0 (25-10, 25-13 and 25-19), they settled into their style of play as the night progressed, going toe-to-toe with the Captains in the third set.
After the opening set, Regent began finding its rhythm in the second. The Royals battled CNU early, using back-to-back service aces from Freshman Claire Keefer (Winchester, VA) to take a 5-4 advantage. Later in the set, Regent closed the gap with a four-point run that included a kill and block from Junior Brooklynn Delane (Colonial Beach, VA).
The Royals came out aggressively in the third set, scoring four of the first six points, taking an early 4-2 advantage. Regent continued to stay within striking distance of the Captains and tied the score seven different times. The Royals also held leads on three occasions during the set. Trailing 20-15, Regent put points together on a kill from Keefer and a service ace from Freshman Mykenah Antenore (San Diego, CA) that pulled the Royals to within two of the advantage.
Keefer led the Regent attack with seven kills while also recording two service aces. Freshman Sarah Cutler (Hampstead, NY) added three kills and six digs, while Delane, Sophomore Rylee Stewart (Newport News, VA) and Sophomore Emma Kristiansen (Sparta, NJ) each finished with two kills. Delane also accounted for both of Regent's blocks.
Stewart directed the Royals' offense with a team-high 10 assists while adding seven digs. Antenore contributed across the board with eight digs, four assists and a service ace, while Sophomore Keira Anderson (Leland, NC) finished with seven digs. Regent totaled 34 digs and four service aces as a team.
The Royals will be back in action this weekend when they travel to Rocky Mount, NC to participate in the North Carolina Wesleyan Invitational. They kick off the competition on Friday September 4th with matches against host NC Wesleyan University at 11:00am and Hollins University at 3:00pm
