BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team won their third consecutive match on Saturday afternoon, cruising to a victory over the Webber International University Warriors in straight sets. Following the 25-17, 25-23, 25-22 win on the road, the Gyrenes have now won three consecutive matches over the Warriors after losing the first 21 meetings between the two schools. The win came in The Sun Conference's Game of the Week.
Ave Maria's most decisive victory came in the first set, and was powered by a late surge. Webber held an 11-10 lead after a back-and-forth effort, but the Gyrenes proceeded to score the next five points on two kills, two errors, and a McKenzie McKay ace. After two straight Webber points cut the lead back to two, Ave Maria scored three unanswered points to regain control. The lead would never again dip below four points, and back-to-back aces from Hannah Jones sealed the first set triumph.
The Gyrenes had to play from behind in the second set, as the Warriors held an early 11-7 lead. On the serve of Jones, Ave Maria went on an 8-0 run to take a 15-11 lead. Later in the set, after Webber had tied it up at 19, the Gyrenes proceeded to score four unanswered points, taking advantage of three Warrior errors. A Zelie Kessler kill ensured no comeback from the Warriors, giving Ave an advantage of two sets over the hosts.
In the third set, Ave Maria once again had to rally, this time in a more dramatic fashion. Webber controlled much of the third period, and held leads of 19-13, 21-16, and 22-18. After an attack error cut the WIU lead to three at 22-19, McKay took the serve for the Gyrenes and did not surrender it. Ave Maria scored six straight points on McKay's serve, doing so on three kills, two attack errors, and an ace. The final attack error, which was blocked by Madelyn Haut and Zelie Kessler, sent the Gyrenes home with their sixth victory.
AMU's attack was balanced, with three Gyrenes logging at least seven kills. Senior Flavia Rusterholz recorded nine kills on 17 swings, while Cabriella Bouterse added eight kills and Kessler chipped in with seven. Lily Witkoski ran the offense well with 26 assists, while Jones was the team's top server with five aces. Three AMU players were in double figures in digs, led by 12 from libero Victoria Schein. Miah Pena and Alejandra Suarez each added eleven digs in the victory.
At the conclusion of the first time through The Sun Conference's schedule, the Gyrenes sit in second place with a 5-2 record, two games behind first place Keiser. Both of Ave Maria's matches next week will come in non-conference action, beginning with Florida National University on Tuesday. The second meeting of the season between the Gyrenes and the Conquistadors is set for 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Ave Maria won the opening matchup against FNU, three sets to one, on September 29.
