LAKE WALES, Fla. --- The Ave Maria volleyball team defeated Florida National in straight sets to open up the Warner Lady Royal Labor Day Invitational Friday morning. In their second game of the day, AMU fell to Central Methodist 3-0. The lady Gyrenes move to 6-2 on the season.
 
Game 1 vs. Florida National
 

• The Lady Gyrenes got off to a quick start against Florida National, taking the first set 25-8. After a close second set in which the Lady Gyrenes emerged victorious 25-23, the Blue and Green closed out the match with a 25-16 third set win.
• Leading 4-3 in the first set, AMU won eight straight points to take a commanding 12-3 advantage. The Blue and Green won six of the final eight points to finish off the set 25-8.
• The second set went back-and-forth with Florida National holding a slim 9-8 lead early in the set. After six straight points by AMU gave the Lady Gyrenes a 17-10 advantage, battled back to pull within one at 24-23. The Lady Gyrenes were able to capitalize on their second set point to take the set 25-23.
• AMU dominated the third set from the onset, winning the first eight points to take an 8-0 lead. The Blue and Green maintained a several point advantage for most of the set en route to a 25-16 win to close out the match.
• Lexy Smith led the Blue and Green with 13 kills followed by Bre Holder and Lauren Howell who each tallied six.
• Lauren Ruby had 17 assists while Rachel Schultz led AMU with 12 digs.

 
Game 2 vs. Central Methodist
 

• Playing the second of back-to-back matches, the Blue and Green maintained a two point deficit early in the match against Central Methodist. The Lady Eagles then used a five-point spurt to take a 14-7 lead on AMU. The Lady Gyrenes weren't able to put close the gap in the opening set, eventually falling 25-13.
• AMU hung with Central Methodist for a majority of the second set and trailed by just two points, 20-18, late in the set. The Lady Eagles then won five of the final eight points to take the set 25-21.
• The Blue and Green came out firing in the third set and jumped out to a 13-8 lead midway through the set. The Lady Eagles responded with an eight point run to take a 16-13 lead on the Blue and Green. After AMU tied it up at 16-16, another quick run by Central Methodist gave them a 21-17 advantage. CMU won the final four points of the game to take the set 25-18.
• Hannah Wurster led the Blue and Green with eight kills followed by Marie Mendez with six.
• Ruby again led the Lady Gyrenes with 12 assists.

 
Up Next
 

• The Lady Gyrenes conclude the weekend on Saturday at 4 p.m. when they take on Dickinson State (N.D.). Live stats and live video will be available. The links can be found on the Ave Maria Athletics website.