MARIETTA, Ga. - The Warner University Royals made an impressive debut at the 2025 Season Opener on Day 1 of the Life University Running Eagle Classic. Held in Marietta, GA on August 22, the women's volleyball team faced off against the Truett McConnell Bears and the Talladega Tornadoes, capturing a pair of victories to kick off the new season.
MATCH 1: The match unfolded over four sets with the Royals demonstrating resilience and strategic prowess. The first set saw Warner clinching a win with a score of 25-19. They continued their momentum into the second set, narrowly securing it at 25-22. Despite a setback in the third set where the Bears took the set 25-22, the Royals roared back in the fourth set with a dominating score of 25-12, sealing their win.
Key players stood out during the match for their significant contributions. Leonelis Lopez led the team with 12 kills, followed closely by
Leah Cooley and
Antonia Amer who contributed 11 and 10 kills respectively. Defensively,
Rylee Waldie and
Sofia Suarez were the top performers with 2 blocks each, aiding significantly in deterring the Bears' offense.
In crucial supporting roles,
Ashlyn Fassnacht showcased her versatility by leading with 24 digs and adding 7 assists and 1 ace, establishing her as an instrumental asset to the team.
Skye McDermott also played a crucial role, providing 16 assists along with her pivotal services.
MATCH 2: The opening set of the match set the tone for the day, with the Royals dominating 25-14. Warner's relentless offense, led by
Leah Cooley with seven kills, kept the Tornadoes at bay. The second set followed suit with a score of 25-12, reaffirming the Royals' superiority.
Rylee Waldie contributed significantly, both on offense with six kills and on defense with four blocks, securing her position as one of the top players of the match.
The final set saw a slight pushback from Talladega, but Warner maintained control, clinching the set at 25-16.
Antonia Amer, alongside Waldie, was instrumental with six kills and three blocks, helping Warner University to close the day with a comfortable win. The defensive efforts were spearheaded by
Nova Holmbeck, who managed 11 digs, proving crucial in halting the Tornadoes' attempts at a comeback.
The Royals also saw impressive performances from their service line, with
Skye McDermott and
Lydia Coggins each securing two aces. Playmaker
Imar Laboy, alongside McDermott, coordinated the offensive plays effectively, totaling 12 assists each, which included key setups for their hitters throughout the match.
The Royals are set to continue their performance at the Life University Lower Gym on August 23, facing formidable opponents Reinhardt and Brenau in what promises to be an exciting continuation of the Running Eagle Classic. With a current record standing at 2-0, the Royals look poised to continue their strong season start.
