MARIETTA, Ga.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team bounced back in a big way on Saturday, sweeping their two matches at the Running Eagles Classic on the campus of Life University in Georgia. The Gyrenes knocked off the Gold Rush of Xavier University in four sets to begin action in the morning, then rolled past Brenau University in three sets to conclude their weekend in the Peach State with a 2-2 record.

The Gyrenes were dominant early in their win over Xavier, taking the first set 25-11 before going up two sets with a 25-21 win in the second. The Gold Rush battled back to take the third set by a 25-16 margin, but the Gyrenes earned their first win of the season with a 25-23 win in the fourth frame. AMU trailed by as many as five points in that fourth set, and saw the frame even at 23 before a kill by Madelyn Haut and a Xavier miscue ensured Ave Maria's win.

In her first game of the season, Cabriella Bouterse made an immediate contribution for the Gyrenes, logging a team-high 14 kills. Zelie Kessler added 12 kills, and middle blockers Haut and Abigail Costlow were efficient at the net, combining for 17 kills and five total blocks with just two attack errors. Lily Witkoski had a double-double with 41 assists and 14 digs, and was one of five Gyrenes with ten or more digs, led by 18 from libero Victoria Schein. 

Ave Maria continued to play well in their final game of the event, rolling to a 25-15, 25-16, 25-22 win over the Tigers of Brenau Saturday afternoon. The Gyrenes were especially adept at the net, logging ten total blocks as a team. Ave Maria had an attack percentage of at least .230 in all three sets, a total that got as high as .340 in the final set, which saw the Gyrenes lead by as many as nine before holding off Brenau.

Madelyn Haut was Ave Maria's top performer in the nightcap, racking up eleven kills without an attack error, all while logging seven total blocks. Kessler also finished her week in double figures in kills in all four matches with ten in the win over Brenau. Witkoski continued to run the AMU offensive effectively with 36 assists, while Miah Pena led the defensive effort with 15 digs. Victoria Schein also added 14 digs, while Lily Grasso played a major role with four service aces.

AMU will play their first true road game of the season Tuesday night, when the Gyrenes head across Alligator Alley for a meeting with an NAIA Tournament qualifier from 2022, the Conquistadors of Florida National University. Following the match against FNU, the Gyrenes will head back to Georgia for four more matches next weekend, starting Friday on the campus of Truett McConnell University.