MARIETTA, Ga. - The Royals concluded their run in the 2025 Life University Running Eagle Classic with a pair of challenging matches held at the Eagles Nest in Marietta, GA. Despite a strong effort, the Royals were unable to clinch a victory, falling 0-3 to the Eagles and 3-2 to the Tigers.
 

---

MATCH 1 [vs. Reinhardt]: The match opened with the Eagles setting a strong pace, taking the first set 25-17. The Royals tried to rally back but mirrored the initial set's score in the second, again losing 25-17 to Reinhardt. In the third and final set, the Royals showed improved resilience and performance, pushing the score to 21-25, but ultimately, the Eagles secured the win to close the match. The final score read Reinhardt 3, Warner 0, marking a tough start for the Royals.

Key players for Warner University included Rylee Waldie and Leah Cooley, each with 6 kills, followed closely by Julianna Abbade with 5. In defense, Leah Cooley, Julianna Abbade, and Sofia Suarez each added 2 blocks to the team's efforts, showing strong resistance against the Eagles' attacks. The defensive game was further supported by Ashlyn Fassnacht with an impressive 12 digs, Leonelis Lopez with 11, and Imar Laboy with 8.

In terms of service, Leonelis Lopez managed to score the team's sole ace. The assistance on setting up attacks was led by Imar Laboy with 13 assists, complemented by Skye McDermott with 7 and Ashlyn Fassnacht with 3, embodying the collaborative spirit of the Royals.


MATCH 2 [vs. Brenau]: In an exhilarating second match of Day 2 at the Running Eagle Classic, the Warner University Royals faced tough competition against the Brenau Tigers. The event concluded with a nail-biting finish as Brenau edged out Warner with a final score of 3-2.

The match began with a closely contested first set, where Brenau squeezed past Warner with a score of 25-23. Warner bounced back impressively in the second set, delivering a decisive 25-12 victory, showcasing strong offensive and defensive skills. However, Brenau reclaimed their momentum in the third set, defeating Warner 25-21. The Royals didn't let this setback deter them, as they rallied to win the fourth set 25-19, pushing the match to a decisive fifth set. The tension peaked in the final set, with Brenau ultimately taking the win with a close 15-12 score.

Warner's standout players included Leah Cooley, who led with 18 kills, followed by Leonelis Lopez with 14 and Julianna Abbade with 11. On defense, Rylee Waldie was a significant presence, leading with 4 blocks, while Leonelis Lopez and Julianna Abbade contributed 3 blocks each. The defensive efforts were further bolstered by Ashlyn Fassnacht with 24 digs and Leonelis Lopez adding 16.

Leah Cooley, Leonelis Lopez, and Ashlyn Fassnacht were impactful in serving, scoring a combined total of 7 aces. Strategic play was supported by Imar Laboy and Skye McDermott, who provided 33 and 21 assists, respectively.
 

---

Looking ahead, Warner's women's volleyball team is preparing to face Park University Gilbert (AZ) in the upcoming Florida College Labor Day Classic on August 29, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.