FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 18
th, 2023
Helena, MT. | The Warner Pacific Volleyball squad had their first two games of the season today in Helena, Montana in the Big Sky Challenge.
Game 1
The first game of the day was against Spring Arbor University from the state of Michigan. The Knights lost the game in three sets with the first set being 25-12, the second being 25-11, and the third being 25-18 all in favor of the Cougars. The first point of the Knights season went to
Elizabeth Reid when she had a kill set up by
Kyla Reiling.
The Knights improved as the match went on to the second and third sets as the team started to get used to playing with each other. The Knights were led in scoring by
Maryann Tulele who had 5 kills.
Autumn Gaboury-Parker and
Hailey Charriere each checked in with 4 kills of their own to tie for second highest on the team. As a team, the Knights had 20 total kills. Maryanne Tulele was hitting the deck quite a bit having 6 digs for the game saving a few possessions for the Knights.
The Knights improved a lot in this game and started the process of learning each teammates strengths and positioning on the court. The flow as the game went on improved as the girls got used to one-another.
Game 2
The second game was against the host school, Carroll College. This was a game against a very experienced Saints team. The Saints won the match in three sets by scores of 25-10, 25-8, and 25-12 respectively. Once again the Knights continued to improve their game. Even though the score didn't show it, there were points during the match where the Knights were showing huge glimpses of what this team can look like when they obtain better team chemistry.
Elizabeth Reid led the Knights in kills and points with eight. Maryanne Tulele and
Kyla Reiling each had three kills/points as well. Defensively, the Knights improved from the first game blocking three shots.
Edita Ljuca,
Hailey Charriere, and
Autumn Gaboury-Parker each got credited with one block shot apiece.
Kyla Reiling was a monster when it came to the assists game getting 14 of them.
As a team, the Knights had 18 kills, 18 assists, and three blocked shots.
Next Up
The Knights will get a good nights rest and will play two more games tomorrow. They will play Mount Vernon Nazarene University at 12:15 PT and then play preseason #26 ranked Rocky Mountain College at 2pm PT.
TV SCHEDULE NOTE
Game one tomorrow against MVN will be played at Helena High School and therefore will not be streamed live. The second game against RMC is back at the host location of Carroll College and will be live streamed. Carroll College's live stream is on YouTube under the username "Carroll College Athletics." There you will find the livestream plus full replays of the two games Warner Pacific played today.