Paige O'Conor and Sarah Hughey combine to contribute with 28 kills in the loss against Warner University this morning.

Warner University started the game with putting two points on the board for the Royals, however a kill by Annika Jones brought the game to 2-1.  The Warriors kept the game close throughout the set, tie the game 13-13 on a kill by senior Sarah Hughey.  Warner University was not done, pulling ahead and putting ten consecutive points on the board before Kendall Vallancourt was able to make a kill to take the set to 22-15.  Southern Wesleyan University lost the first set 17-25.  They had 9 kills in the set. 

The Warriors struck first in the second set of the match, however the Royals countered with four points before a kill by Vallancourt brought the game to 4-2 Royal lead.  Vallancourt and S. Hughey worked together to help tie the match at 6-6.  The Royals pulled ahead, but a kill by Paige O'Connor allowed the Warriors to tie the match at 14.  The Warriors kept the second set close making 13 kills, but Warner gained the upper hand winning the second set 25-22.

The Warriors took a early lead in the third set with a kill by O'Connor, fighting to regain the upper hand in the match.  The Royals tied the game at 10-10, but a kill by Kendal Vallancourt brought the Warriors to a 12-11 win.  Kills by Katie Anderson and Sarah Hughey allowed the Warriors to take the game to 17-14 Warrior lead.  Warner tied the match at 17-17, but Kendall Vallancourt made a kill to bring the game to 18-17.  Paige O'Connor gave the Warriors a 24-23 lead and then allowed the Warriors to take the third set.

The Warriors struck first in the third set, but the Royals countered tying the game 1-1.  A kill by Sarah Hughey gave the Warriors at 3-1 lead over Warner University in the fourth set of the morning.  Southern Wesleyan was not finished as consecutive kills by Paige O'Connor and Katie Anderson gave the Warriors a 12-10 lead over the Royals of Warner University.  The Royals tied the game at 12, but the Warriors rallied to make a 14-12 lead again.  Warner University pulled ahead to lead 22-19.  The Warriors rallied, but it was not enough to take down Warner, as they won the fourth and final set 24-21

"I'm proud of the fight that the team showed today!" said Head Volleyball Coach Julia Reininga.  "We will now wait to see if we are offered an At Large bid!"

Annika Jones contributes with 34 assists, and Milica Stamenic and Jones combine for 29 diggs.  The loss for the Warriors brings their record to 15-12 and 12-4 in Conference Carolina play.  The Warner University Royals are now 15-8.

At the end of the banquet earlier in the tournament, the NCCAA announced their regional awards.  Five Warriors were honored in the ceremony.  Sarah Hughey and Paige O'Connor were named to the First Team All Region NCCAA and Milica Stamenic was named to the Second Team All Region NCCAA.  Kendall Vallancourt and Annika Jones were both named to the Honorable Mentions All Region NCCAA team.  Paige O'Connor and Annika Jones were also placed on the NCCAA South Region All Tournament Team.