BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team stayed hot on Saturday afternoon, sweeping the Webber International University Warriors in straight sets in Babson Park. The win gave the Gyrenes a season sweep of the Warriors, marking AMU's sixth consecutive victory in the series after going a decade without a win over Webber in volleyball.

Saturday's first set was tight throughout, with the biggest lead coming in at four points. Webber and Ave Maria were tied at 20 late in the frame, but AMU scored three points in a row to take a 23-20 lead. After a kill and an attack error cut the AMU lead to 23-22, the Gyrenes sealed the first set on a pair of Webber miscues - a service error and an attack error. 

The second set was again close for much of the first 30 points of the frame, as the Gyrenes and Warriors were even at 15 at that point. The decisive run came when AMU scored the next five points, powered by a kill and a block each from Abigail Costlow and Millie Stockard. In total, the Gyrenes finished the second set on a 10-3 run, with a kill from Costlow finishing the action to give Ave Maria a two set lead.

Ave Maria had to rally to finish off the sweep, with Webber holding a 20-17 lead late in the set. AMU scored five straight points to go ahead 22-20, but Webber pulled back in front to hold set point at 25-24. The closing moments of the match belonged to Costlow, as the freshman tied the match with a kill, assisted with Cabriella Bouterse on a block to give AMU the lead, then ended the match with another kill.

AMU was excellent on the attack on Saturday, logging 48 of their 79 points on kills. The Gyrenes had an attack percentage of .300 or better in the first and third sets, and their lowest effort of the day was a .296. Ave Maria also had a solid day serving, posting six aces in the victory. 

Madelyn Haut was unstoppable for the Gyrenes, recording a kill on 14 of 21 attacks to post a .619 attack percentage. Costlow was just as lethal, putting down 12 kills on 18 swings with a .611 attack percentage. Lily Witkoski racked up 40 assists on the day, averaging more than 13 per set while posting another double-double with eleven digs. AMU's defensive leader was Victoria Schein, who had 13 digs.

On Tuesday, the Gyrenes will play their final non-conference match of the 2021 regular season. The Florida National University Conquistadors will come to Ave Maria for their second meeting of the season with Ave Maria. The Gyrenes swept Florida National, 25-15, 25-15, 25-22, in Hialeah back on September 8. Opening serve at the Rhodora J. Donahue Academy gymnasium is set for 7:00 p.m., as the Gyrenes look for their fifth non-conference win in a row.