The Eagles Kicked Off the Season with a Split at SEU Tournament

Lakeland, FL - The Reinhardt University women's volleyball team kicked off their season with a tournament held at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Flordia. The Eagles earned the split today against St. Thomas & Webber International.

Game One vs. St. Thomas (0-3; 13-25, 17-25, 21-25):

The first set witnessed the Eagles struggling to find their rhythm, culminating in a 13-25 loss. St. Thomas took an early lead, establishing a tough pace for the Eagles to match. Transitioning into the second set, Reinhardt showed improvements and fought hard, but still, the Bobcats secured the set 17-25. In the final set, the Eagles raised their gameplay, pushing the Bobcats to a tighter score of 21-25, highlighting their resilience and determination.

Key players made noticeable contributions during the match. Kaylee Cantlin and Juliette Baffico each contributed significantly with 7 kills, supported by Emma Ponkova with 5 kills. Defensive plays were anchored by Breah Watson with 2 blocks and contributions from Zoe Van Waaijen and Ponkova. On the defensive digs, Silvia Aguado led with 10 digs. In terms of service, Ashlynn Barnes powerfully delivered 2 aces, followed by Jenna Smith with one. Barnes also led assists, providing 17 crucial plays, supported by Halle Janik and Aguado.

Game Two vs. Webber International (3-0; 25-13, 25-16, 25-23):

The match opened strongly for the Eagles, as they took the first set 25-13. Their momentum continued into the second set with a solid 25-16 win. The third set proved more challenging, but Reinhardt maintained composure to clinch the set at 25-23, completing the sweep. Jenna Smith led the offensive efforts with a remarkable 14 kills, significantly contributing to the team's victory.

Defensive plays were equally impressive with Breah Watson leading with a total of 7 blocks, while also contributing offensively with 3 kills. The defensive effort was supported by Juliette Baffico and Jenna Smith, who both recorded 2 total blocks. In the backcourt, Silvia Aguado's 11 digs were pivotal in thwarting the Warriors' attacks, with Ashlynn Barnes and Juliette Baffico each adding 8 digs.

Ashlynn Barnes was crucial in setting up plays, leading with 19 assists and also serving 2 aces. Halle Janik supported well with 12 assists and matched Barnes's two aces, emphasizing the Eagles' strong all-around performance. Addison Dunagan added an ace to the tally, rounding out an impressive serving game for the team.

The Eagles are scheduled to continue their streak in the tournament facing Point University at 10am followed by Southeastern at 12pm on Saturday, August 16th, 2025, with a current season record of 1-1.

Photo by Nicole Seitz