Bradenton, Fla. — In a highly anticipated Sun Conference opener, the New College Banyans secured a 3-1 victory over the Ave Maria Gyrenes, marking the Banyans’ first-ever in-conference win in program history. Both teams battled throughout the match, but New College rallied after losing the first set to claim the next three and emerge victorious.
Ave Maria got off to a strong start, taking the first set in a thrilling 26-24 fashion. The Gyrenes found themselves on the brink of dropping the set when New College reached set point at 24-22. However, a key kill by Greta Heiney kept Ave Maria alive, and they scored three more points to steal the set and take an early lead. Despite the Gyrenes’ early momentum, New College responded with a dominant performance in the second set. Trailing 4-1 early on, the Banyans went on an eight-point run behind the efforts of middle blocker Arianna Garcia, winning the set 25-19 to tie the match at 1-1.
The third set was a closely contested battle, with both teams staying within a point of each other for much of the frame. However, New College’s dynamic duo of middle blocker Cassidy Casey and setter Rafaela Domingos took control, leading the Banyans to a 25-21 victory. With the momentum firmly in their favor, New College closed out the match in the fourth set, cruising to a 25-13 win. For New College, Casey led the team with 12 kills, while Domingos tallied an impressive 32 assists. The Banyans’ depth was also on display, with points contributed by 13 different players. Garcia’s serving was key to the victory, recording three aces in crucial moments. Ave Maria, despite the loss, had strong individual performances. Beatriz Rissi led the Gyrenes with 12 kills, while Greta Heiney added 10 of her own. Setter Caroline Myers finished with 32 assists, and Ines Lopes recorded 12 digs to lead the defensive effort.
With the victory, New College improved their standing in the Sun Conference as they prepare for a challenging schedule ahead, including a matchup against #11 St. Thomas University. The Banyans will next face Southeastern University in Lakeland on September 11th. Meanwhile, Ave Maria falls to 0-9 overall and 0-1 in Sun Conference play. The Gyrenes will look to bounce back during their upcoming two-match home stand, starting with a contest against Florida Memorial on September 11th.
