Eagles Clinch AAC Runners-Up & Bid to NAIA National Tournament
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
24 | 17 | 25 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
|
|
26 | 25 | 18 | 19 | 12 | 2 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
22 | 25 | 16 | 23 | 1 |
|
|
25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
Team Stats
Reinhardt (GA)
Johnson (TN)
| Game Statistics | Reinhardt (GA) | Johnson (TN) |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .145 | .147 |
| Blocks | 9.0 | 10.0 |
| Digs | 78 | 64 |
| Aces | 7 | 7 |
CIU (SC)
| Game Statistics | Reinhardt (GA) | CIU (SC) |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting % | .107 | .226 |
| Blocks | 7.0 | 19.0 |
| Digs | 63 | 59 |
| Aces | 8 | 8 |
Kingsport, TN. - The Reinhardt University Eagles secured the runners-up title in the AAC Tournament in Kingsport. With this, they will advance to the NAIA National Tournament.
RU vs. Johnson - AAC Semi-Finals
The match began with a tense first set where the Eagles narrowly lost to the Royals 24-26. The second set was similarly challenging, with the Eagles falling 17-25. However, the Reinhardt women rallied impressively in the subsequent sets. They turned the match around by winning the third set 25-18, continued their momentum with a 25-19 win in the fourth set, and finally clinched the match in an intensely contested fifth set, securing it at 15-12.
Key players for the Eagles included Juliette Baffico, who led with 18 kills and contributed significantly on defense with 17 digs and 3 aces. Kaylee Cantlin and Sienna Pierre also made notable contributions with multiple kills and blocks, ensuring the Eagles maintained a defensive and offensive edge. Teamwork shone in assists, with Ashlynn Barnes setting up 26 successful shots, followed by Halle Janik with 24 assists.
RU vs. CIU - AAC Championship
The match commenced with a fierce struggle in the first set, resulting in a narrow defeat for the Eagles, 22-25. However, the Eagles rallied in the second set, overturning the initial loss to secure a 25-22 victory. This back-and-forth continued, but the subsequent sets saw the Rams overpowering, with scores of 16-25 and 23-25, leading to the Eagles' loss in the championship.
Throughout the match, Reinhardt's top performers included Juliette Baffico, who led with 15 kills and added 16 digs. Jenna Smith and Breah Watson also had significant impacts, with Smith scoring 10 kills and Watson contributing both 9 kills and a match-leading 4 blocks. Noteworthy defensive plays were evident with Silvia Aguado achieving 22 digs. Serving was also a strong point for the Eagles, with Ashlynn Barnes and Ramsey Chambers each scoring 3 aces.
Post-match, the Eagles' record stands at 29-7. Despite the loss, Reinhardt University has earned a bid to the NAIA National Tournament. The team awaits the announcement of their opening-round opponent, which will be revealed on November 17th. This forthcoming competition offers the Eagles a chance to showcase their resilience on a national stage.