Warner University Royals Narrowly Defeated in Thrilling SUN Conference Volleyball Battle

In an intense and closely contested SUN Conference volleyball game at Turner Athletic Center, the Warner University women's volleyball team, known as the Royals, faced a narrow defeat against the New College of Florida Banyans on October 30, 2024. The final scores showed a 3-2 victory in favor of the Banyans, concluding the sets with scores of Warner 26-24, 25-20, 25-18, 18-25, and 10-15.

Warner kicked off the match with a strong start, winning the first three sets. Kailani Zezas led the Royals with an impressive tally of 24 kills, backed by Leah Cooley and Sofia Suarez, who posted 16 and 5.5 kills respectively. Despite an early lead, the tide turned as the Banyans claimed the last two sets, leveraging their resilience to secure the win. Luisa Hoffmann topped the block charts for Warner with 3 blocks alongside Rylee Waldie and Cassidy Casey, each contributing 2 blocks. In terms of defensive plays, Leah Cooley registered 11 digs, followed by Zezas with 6 and Ashlyn Fassnacht with 5.

Service aces were notably delivered by Imar Laboy, Lydia Coggins, and Kailani Zezas, each scoring multiple aces, which served as crucial turning points in the match. Leah Cooley also showcased versatility by providing 17 assists, further supported by Imar Laboy and Ashlyn Fassnacht who contributed to the team's offensive setup.

Up next, the Royals will travel to West Palm Beach, FL, to face Keiser Seahawks on November 1, 2024, hoping to improve upon their current season record of 9 wins and 12 losses with a 3-8 conference record. The focus will no doubt be on capturing a victory to bounce back from their narrow loss.