WINSTON-SALEM, NC. - The Royals traveled up to North Carolina this weekend AAC Conference matchups against Bluefield University (Va.) and Carolina University to wrap up the month of February. Warner split the weekend, first falling to Bluefield in 4 sets before sweeping Carolina University.

The Royals opened up their AAC Pod weekend against the Bluefield University (Va.) Rams on Friday afternoon. Warner battled in every set and took the 3rd after dropping the first 2 by a score of 25-20, but were unable to complete the reverse sweep falling in the 4th set 26-to-24. Darion Graham had his best overall game against the Rams, leading the team with 23.5 Points, 20 Kills, 2 Aces, and 3 Blocks, all assisted, while also recording 2 Assists. Graham's strong all-around performance on Friday marked new Season High's for the Junior in Kills, Assists, Points, and Blocks. Meric Akovali continued his strong run of form recording a team leading 36 Assists, without record a single setting error, while also collecting 2 Kills and 7 Digs playing in all 4 Sets. Romone Rudolph also had a strong day recording double digit Kills with 10 and added 1 Block, 1 Assist, 2 Aces and 5 Digs to his box score. 

Warner had a short turn around after Friday's match as they took on Carolina University at 9:00 AM on Saturday morning. The Royals came out ready to play sweeping the match 3 Sets to 0, with the final score of each set being 25-16, 25-16 and 25-19 respectively. Graham led the team again in Kills with 12 while also adding 1 Assist, 1 Ace and 5 Digs to the box score against the Bruins. Milos SIpragic recorded a team high and career high 4 Service Aces in the win, while Akovali led the team with 18 Assist to bring his weekend total to 54 in 7 Sets played. KJ Harrison recorded a game of 7 Digs and also collected 1 Kill and 2 Assists playing 2 of the 3 Sets in the win. 

Warner will return home next week to take on Crooked Lake Rivals Webber International University for Senior Day on March 5th in the Turner Athletic Center.
 

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Match Leaders vs Bluefield University

• Kills: Darion Graham (20)
• Aces: Darion Graham & Romone Rudolph (2)
• Assists: Meric Akovali (44)
• Blocks: Darion Graham (3)
• Digs: Caleb Welling (9)

Team Stats vs Bluefield University

• Points: 58
• Kills: 46
• Aces: 8
• Blocks: 4
• Assists: 44
• Digs: 36

Match Leaders vs Carolina University

• Kills: Darion Graham (12)
• Aces: Milos Sipragic (4)
• Assists: Meric Akovali (18)
• Digs: KJ Harrison (7)

Team Stats vs Carolina University

• Points: 46
• Kills: 33
• Aces: 11
• Blocks: 2
• Assists: 25
• Digs: 36

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