Eagles Take Down Faulkner and Stillman in Third Tournament of the 2025 Season

Montgomery, AL - Reinhardt Women's Volleyball competed in its third of three tournaments that are kicking off their 2025 Fall Season.  This tournament was hosted by the Eagles of Faulkner University, where the Reinhardt Eagles would leave with a 2-1 record.  Reinhardt knocked off Faulkner on the opening day of the tournament, lost to Southeastern in the second match, and then ended the day with a 3-0 win against the Tigers of Stillman University. Over the three tournaments, the Eagles have accumulated an 8-4 record to start their season.

Faulkner Match, Reinhardt 3 - Faulkner 1

The match unfolded with an unexpected start as the Eagles struggled in the first set, trailing with a score of 16-25. However, demonstrating remarkable teamwork and resilience, the squad made a dramatic turnaround by claiming the next three sets. They dominated the second set with a score of 25-14, continued their momentum by securing the third set at 25-18, and closed the fourth set decisively at 25-15.

Notable performances were seen from Kaylee Cantlin, who led the team with 14 kills, followed by Juliette Baffico with 11, and Jenna Smith with 10. Defensive efforts were equally strong, with Breah Watson recording 8 blocks and Faith Breitbarth and Emma Ponkova contributing 5 each. The game's dynamic was also influenced by excellent digs from Juliette Baffico (16), Silvia Aguado (21), and strong serving, including two crucial aces from McKenzie Kappy.

Further demonstrating their all-around capabilities, the Eagles had Ashlynn Barnes orchestrating the offense with 29 assists complemented by Halle Janik's 21, showcasing their depth and strategic gameplay. The team's cohesive performance and ability to recover after the first set were crucial in their victory against Faulkner, setting a positive tone for their ongoing season.

Southeastern Match, Southeastern 3 - Reinhardt 1

The second match of the tournament for the Eagles commenced with Southeastern setting a strong pace, winning the first set 25-14. However, Reinhardt bounced back in the second set, securing a 25-19 victory, showcasing their resilience and strategic acumen on the court. The third set saw Southeastern regain control, taking it 25-19. A closely contested fourth set followed, with Southeastern edging out a win at 25-21, sealing the match in their favor.

Key players for Reinhardt included Kaylee Cantlin, who led with 10 kills and secured 3 blocks, reflecting her crucial role in both offensive and defensive plays. Breah Watson and Juliette Baffico also contributed significantly with 8 kills each. Baffico stood out with the highest digs for the team at 17, supported by Halle Janik and Ashlynn Barnes, who each managed 12 digs. On the defensive side, Jenna Smith and Emma Ponkova demonstrated strong performances with 5 and 7 blocks, respectively. Ashlynn Barnes' efforts were rounded out with a notable ace and a team-high 18 assists, indicating her pivotal role in setting up plays.

Stillman Match, Reinhardt 3 - Stillman 0

In the first set versus the Tigers, the Eagles set a strong pace, defeating Stillman 25-16. They maintained their momentum into the second set, pulling off a 25-20 win despite a more challenging round. The third set showcased the Eagles' overwhelming prowess, as they demolished the Tigers 25-6, closing the match with a resounding victory.

Key players for the Eagles included Kaylee Cantlin, who led with both 10 kills and 2 blocks. Juliette Baffico also made significant contributions with 8 kills and topped the charts with 5 aces. Shelby Simmons added to the defense with a block alongside her 4 kills. In the digs department, sophomore Halle Janik led with 5 digs and also provided 9 assists, proving her versatility on the court.

Other notable players included Ashlynn Barnes and Silvia Aguado, who contributed significantly in assists and digs. Barnes ended with 10 assists and 4 digs, while Aguado finished with 4 assists and 4 digs.  The two AAC All-Conference standouts will be the backbone of the squad to take them through the upcoming conference regular season play.

The Eagles start AAC play in two weeks when they face the Spartanburg Methodist Pioneers in Spartanburg, SC, on September 19, 2025. With their current record at 8-4, the Reinhardt University Eagles are gearing up to continue their strong performance in the season.