(LAKE WALES, FLA) -- Breaking a new program record, the Florida Memorial University volleyball team defeated Warner University 3-1, Wednesday, September 25.
Tied for first in the conference with Keiser University at 5-0, the Lions' win over Warner recorded the second most Sun Conference wins the program has ever seen.
The Lions lost the first set 12-25 to the Royals, only producing seven kills.
"We started off slow but we don't like being backed into a corner so we knew we had to pick up the pace," said head coach
Marrita Crockett-Moulton. "We came together in the second set and didn't look back."
FMU took a 4-0 lead to start the second set, but after a service error from their opponent and back-to-back kills from junior
Sammyra Albarran.
After a service ace from freshman
Biancaliz Cruz the next point went in favor of the Royals.
The Lions produced 16 kills in the second set, 13 more than Warner to tie the game 1-1.
Coming back from a 4-1 deficit FMU went on a 8-0 run to take a five point lead over the Royals. At the service line for the Lions was senior
Yulianna Charris who finished the night with two service aces.
Florida Memorial would win the next two sets 25-10 and 25-16.
Leading the attack for the match was Albarran who outscored all players with 15 kills. Sophomore
Rachele Mancinelli finished right behind her with 13. Mancinelli scored her second double-double of the year adding 13 digs.
Junior Keisha Santana finished with a game-high 19 digs and added eight assists and three service aces. Juniors
Francheska Rivera and
Alanis Santana combined for 29 assists in the match with Rivera leading the way with 15.
Mancinelli added five blocks in the win while senior
Ivana Maric contributed four.
Florida Memorial out-hit Warner 46-31 and out blocked the Royals 12-6.
"We are so proud of our Lady Lions and the coach for representing our athletic department tonight," said Athletic Director Ernest T. Jones. "They have set the bar high for all of our student-athletes and we are excited to see how far they will go."
Coach Crockett said the girls are proud to bring home the victory and the school record. They look forward to continuing this new winning tradition for the rest of the season and many more to come.
This Saturday, September 28, the Lions will host Florida College and the College of Coastal Georgia in a tri-match beginning at 12 P.M.
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