Reinhardt Sweeps to a 3-1 Opening Weekend
August 18, 2018
By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media
BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Reinhardt volleyball wrapped up the Mariner Invitational with a 3-1 record after action concluded Saturday, as the Eagles earned a doubleheader sweep against Warner (Fla.) (3-0;
25-18,25-20,27-25) and host Coastal Georgia (3-1; 25-19,19-25,25-22,25-15).
Brian Goodhind's bunch was the 'road' squad in both matches on the evening as it wrapped up the two-day event triumphant in three out of four attempts.
"This weekend was a great start for our continued turnaround of the volleyball program here and the new culture our RU family built last season," Goodhind said. "Bringing in the culture of 'Faith, Family and Excellence' on and off the court was our goal as a staff. These players have continued that culture and added to it. 'Family' is our motto this season; with our standard excellence to not only repeat as AAC Conference champions, but to be in Iowa at the end. One of the things I'm most proud of from this weekend was that any time this new team faced adversity – they would not back down. They have shown incredible character as young women and that they have one another's back.
"We had some excellent starts to some new freshmen seasons, as Savanna Davis led us with 49 total kills in our four matches (averaging over 12 kills per match). It is pretty nice to have a freshman step up like that. I was very proud of her and how she played. We also had great leadership from senior Kersten Joyner, who played through an injury, and Angel Cornista. Juniors Tessa Colden, Cheetara Bing and Izzy Diaz all had a very good weekend, but what really stuck out was our girls off the court as well. Our bench brought amazing energy."
Reinhardt (3-1) was able to sweep a pesky Royals team that pushed the Eagles in every set before falling in straight stanzas. The offensive and defensive stats were widespread throughout the roster, as multiple players had double-digit kills, assists and digs.
Colden (14), Carlee Baxter (21), and Colden (16) paced the above categories, respectively.
The nightcap of the tournament featured the Eagles against the hometown Mariners, and each group would exchange punches in the form of a 25-19 win to begin the match. Goodhind and company would rebound nicely and hold off Coastal Georgia in set three (25-22) and that momentum propelled Reinhardt to clinch in the very next stanza.
Davis scratched across 15 of her team's 43 kills in the win, while Joyner (17 digs) and Cornista (13) paced the defensive side.
Cornista also owned a squad-best three aces.
This weekend was more than just about winning competitions for the 2018 edition of Reinhardt Volleyball, it was about coming closer together as an RU family.
"One of our biggest moments was freshman Jessie Panter, late in set four of the last match, getting her first collegiate kill," Goodhind said. "The entire team was so hyped and excited for her and they just erupted in joy so loud. It was a great moment seeing everyone so excited for one of their teammates."
The Eagles still have a lot of work to do to get to where they want, but the direction of the team is most definitely trending upwards.
Another tournament is on the horizon next week for Reinhardt, as the club heads to Bowling Green, Ky., for a handful of contests in the Crossroads Challenge beginning Aug. 24 with Campbellsville (Ky.).
For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram.
For more information on Reinhardt Volleyball, please click here.
BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Reinhardt volleyball wrapped up the Mariner Invitational with a 3-1 record after action concluded Saturday, as the Eagles earned a doubleheader sweep against Warner (Fla.) (3-0;
25-18,25-20,27-25) and host Coastal Georgia (3-1; 25-19,19-25,25-22,25-15).
Brian Goodhind's bunch was the 'road' squad in both matches on the evening as it wrapped up the two-day event triumphant in three out of four attempts.
"This weekend was a great start for our continued turnaround of the volleyball program here and the new culture our RU family built last season," Goodhind said. "Bringing in the culture of 'Faith, Family and Excellence' on and off the court was our goal as a staff. These players have continued that culture and added to it. 'Family' is our motto this season; with our standard excellence to not only repeat as AAC Conference champions, but to be in Iowa at the end. One of the things I'm most proud of from this weekend was that any time this new team faced adversity – they would not back down. They have shown incredible character as young women and that they have one another's back.
"We had some excellent starts to some new freshmen seasons, as Savanna Davis led us with 49 total kills in our four matches (averaging over 12 kills per match). It is pretty nice to have a freshman step up like that. I was very proud of her and how she played. We also had great leadership from senior Kersten Joyner, who played through an injury, and Angel Cornista. Juniors Tessa Colden, Cheetara Bing and Izzy Diaz all had a very good weekend, but what really stuck out was our girls off the court as well. Our bench brought amazing energy."
Reinhardt (3-1) was able to sweep a pesky Royals team that pushed the Eagles in every set before falling in straight stanzas. The offensive and defensive stats were widespread throughout the roster, as multiple players had double-digit kills, assists and digs.
Colden (14), Carlee Baxter (21), and Colden (16) paced the above categories, respectively.
The nightcap of the tournament featured the Eagles against the hometown Mariners, and each group would exchange punches in the form of a 25-19 win to begin the match. Goodhind and company would rebound nicely and hold off Coastal Georgia in set three (25-22) and that momentum propelled Reinhardt to clinch in the very next stanza.
Davis scratched across 15 of her team's 43 kills in the win, while Joyner (17 digs) and Cornista (13) paced the defensive side.
Cornista also owned a squad-best three aces.
This weekend was more than just about winning competitions for the 2018 edition of Reinhardt Volleyball, it was about coming closer together as an RU family.
"One of our biggest moments was freshman Jessie Panter, late in set four of the last match, getting her first collegiate kill," Goodhind said. "The entire team was so hyped and excited for her and they just erupted in joy so loud. It was a great moment seeing everyone so excited for one of their teammates."
The Eagles still have a lot of work to do to get to where they want, but the direction of the team is most definitely trending upwards.
Another tournament is on the horizon next week for Reinhardt, as the club heads to Bowling Green, Ky., for a handful of contests in the Crossroads Challenge beginning Aug. 24 with Campbellsville (Ky.).
For up-to-the-minute Eagles sports news, follow Reinhardt Athletics on Facebook, @RU_Eagles on Twitter and @ru_eagles on Instagram.
For more information on Reinhardt Volleyball, please click here.