Jacksonville, Fla. – The Warner University men's volleyball team kicked off their 2025 season in dramatic fashion, battling Edward Waters University in a five-set showdown. The Royals came out on top, securing a hard-fought 3-2 victory (15-25, 25-20, 21-25, 25-20, 15-13) to start the year 1-0.

Match Recap:The Royals got off to a slow start in the opening set, struggling to find their rhythm as Edward Waters took an early lead and closed out the frame 25-15. However, Warner responded in the second set, tightening their defense and increasing their offensive efficiency. Behind key contributions from Darion Graham and Michael Barnes, the Royals evened the match with a 25-20 win.

Edward Waters reclaimed momentum in the third set, edging out Warner 25-21. But the Royals showed their resilience in the fourth, bouncing back with another 25-20 victory to force a decisive fifth set. In a back-and-forth final frame, Warner held their composure in crunch time, sealing the match with a 15-13 win.

Game Leaders:

• Darion Graham dominated the attack with 20 kills, leading all players in scoring.
• Michael Barnes was a key contributor on both ends, recording 11 kills, 6 digs, and 3 blocks.
• Romone Rudolph added 6 kills while also stepping up defensively with 3 blocks.
• KJ Harrison anchored the back row, finishing with a team-high 19 digs.
• Emir Ege Gull ran the offense effectively, dishing out 42 assists while adding 8 digs.
• Donovon Adams made his presence felt at the net, contributing 3 crucial blocks.

With a strong season opener under their belt, the Royals will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their next matchup, at Webber International University.