LAKE WALES, Fla.- The Ave Maria University volleyball team could not get any momentum going on Saturday afternoon, falling in three sets to the Royals of University at the Turner Athletic Center in Lake Wales. The Gyrenes were plagued by serve receive issues, as Warner racked up 12 aces in the 25-21, 25-16, 25-14 victory. A win in the match would have clinched a postseason berth for the Gyrenes.

The first set was the closest of the three, with Ave Maria within just one point, 21-20, late in the frame following kills by Beatriz Rissi and Caroline Myers. However, the end of the first set would be a preview of things to come, as the Royals won four of the final five points, capped off by a kill by Rhea Zahller. 

The second set saw the Gyrenes jump out to a 7-2 lead, taking advantage of four Warner attack errors. However, that lead was quickly erased by the hosts, as Warner scored nine of the next 12 points to retake the lead at 11-10. The set remained close for much of the set, but another Warner flurry proved to be the difference. After a Warner attack error cut their lead to 17-15, the Royals won all but one of the final nine points, finishing off a 25-16 win on a third consecutive ace from Skye McDermott.

After ending the second set on a 8-1 run, the Royals continued their momentum into the third set. Warner raced out to a 10-2 lead and never looked back, racking up a .385 attack percentage in the process. The match point was provided by Sofia Suarez, who slammed home a kill on Warner's second such attempt to finish off the sweep.

Elle Malczewski led the Gyrenes with nine kills, while Beatriz Rissi followed with six kills on just 12 swings. Three setters saw time for Ave Maria, with Caroline Myers leading all Gyrenes with ten assists. Ryan Getz was the top defensive player with seven digs, with Myers, Maria Teixeira, and Maylis DeTar all following with five.

The Gyrenes will play their final road game of the 2025 season on Wednesday, when Ave Maria heads across Alligator Alley for a meeting with the Seahawks of Keiser University. AMU will be looking for a second win over Keiser this season, following a four-set win at home in late September.  The Gyrenes have not swept the season series from the Seahawks since 2013, when Ave Maria beat what was then called Northwood University three times. Opening serve in West Palm Beach is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.