Lake Wales, Fla. – The Warner University men's volleyball team (5-7, 4-4) dropped a hard-fought match to Bethel (IN) (10-8, 5-3) in four sets on March 4, 2025. The Royals battled through each set but ultimately fell short, losing 34-36, 25-23, 22-25, and 23-25. Despite a strong individual performance from
Darion Graham, Warner couldn't overcome Bethel's offensive efficiency in the tight match.
Match Recap:
The first set was a thrilling back-and-forth, with both teams exchanging leads and ties throughout. Warner looked ready to take the set but fell just short, dropping it 34-36 in a highly competitive finish.
Michael Barnes played a major role offensively for the Royals, finishing with 17 kills and 12 points. Bethel's strong attack kept the pressure on Warner, especially late in the set.
In Set 2, the Royals bounced back with a 25-23 victory.
Darion Graham took charge, posting 7 kills and helping Warner keep the momentum on their side, as they took the set in a more controlled fashion. Bethel responded strongly in the third set, outlasting Warner 25-22 with a late surge in their offense. The Royals struggled with errors, allowing Bethel to capitalize and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
The fourth set saw Warner battle hard but ultimately lose 23-25, with Bethel finishing strong and holding off a late push from the Royals. Despite the loss, Warner showed resiliency, with key contributions from players like
Graham,
Barnes, and
Milos Sipragic, but Bethel's offensive firepower and timely plays in crucial moments sealed the victory for them.
Game Leaders:
- Darion Graham was the standout player for Warner, finishing with 22 kills and 23.5 points. His offensive performance kept the Royals competitive throughout the match.
- Michael Barnes contributed 17 kills and 17.5 points, playing a vital role in the team's offensive efforts.
- Milos Sipragic added 7 kills and 8.5 points, continuing to be a steady contributor in both offense and defense.
- Emir Ege Gull set up the offense with 48 assists, contributing to the Royals' attack, while adding 1 point and 7 digs.
- KJ Harrison was solid defensively, finishing with 8 digs to stabilize the back row.
- Quentin Maddock added 4 points, providing solid defensive support in his limited time on the court.
Next Up: The Royals will look to bounce back from this tough loss as they prepare for their next matchup. Warner returns to action on March 5th, facing St. John Fisher University, aiming to get back on track after a competitive but tough loss to Bethel.
