Eagles Come Home From Alabama With Two More Triumphs

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Faulkner Sports Information 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Reinhardt women's volleyball was able to find a couple more matches to help in the preparations for the NAIA National Championship on Friday night, as the Eagles traveled to Faulkner (Ala.) to take on Loyola (La.) and the host Eagles in a tri-match inside Tine Davis Gymnasium.

The hometown team (22-5) was able to take both contests in the minimum amount of games as Reinhardt earned 3-0 decisions in each outing – 26-24, 25-18, 25-12 over the Wolf Pack and 25-15, 25-18, 25-20 over Faulkner.

"We traveled out to Faulkner for a tri-match today so we could continue to get more match experience for our new lineup through the tough injuries our team has endured," head coach Brian Goodhind said. "Coming off the conference tournament, I really thought the team played the best it had all season as far as their fight and togetherness. To the girls' credit, they continued that today. It took a strong team effort with some young players really stepping up huge. Our new modified 5-1 offense with Erinn setting back row and Karya setting top row is starting to show some solid offensive flow.

"As happy as I am with our young players stepping up, I have to give credit to the leadership of our upperclassman on and off the court. We will let the girls get some rest and then get back to the grind as we prepare for the opening round of the National Championship. Continued prayers go out to our players dealing with injury. As always, all the Glory goes to God."

Match 1, W (3-0)

• The opening set against Loyola proved-to-be the toughest (26-24), as Reinhardt found its groove in the final two games and got better throughout the match with big wins.
• The Wolf Pack didn't help its cause with a combined 24 errors on the night, compared to just nine for the Eagles – who were able to hit .283 in the straight-stanza victory.
• Individually, the offensive numbers were widespread, as seven players had two-or-more kills. Shelby Glawson led the way with eight kills, while right behind her was Abbey Tucker with seven scores.
• Erinn Marroquin and Karya Suvarioglu both helped the offense run efficiently with 13 assists.
• The team gathered 56 digs and 11 total blocks, with Holly Heath (16 digs) and Abby Infante (four assisted rejections) out-front in each respective category.

Match 2, W (3-0)

• The squad continued to roll against the host Eagles in the nightcap, as both Abbey Tucker (11 kills; .417 ) and Abby Infante (10 scores; .600) owned nearly half of Reinhardt's 47 kills.
• Serving was strong against Faulkner with a total of eight aces, four of which came from Silvia Barcelo.
• The offense continued to find its flow and took control early of the competition with a 10-point win in game one. The host Eagles were able to keep things closer on the scoreboard in games two and three, but the visitors were just two strong in each set and finished the job.
• Karya Suvarioglu continued to pile up the assists with 21 more, as did Erinn Marroquin with 18 of her own.
• Holly Heath again led the defensive charge with 13 digs. Sarah Sweet was next in line in that area with eight.

The 2020 NAIA Women's Volleyball National Championship Opening Round Selection Show is Monday, April 12 at 11 a.m. 

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For more information on Reinhardt Women's Volleyball, please click here.