LEBANON, Tenn. - The William Carey Volleyball Team got their 2024 season underway with a straight sets victory over Cumberland University and a five set thriller against Ave Maria Friday afternoon in the Phoenix Invitational.
 
In a closely contested match, Cumberland fought hard, keeping each set close, but William Carey's resilience and clutch plays in the final moments of each set secured their victory 25-22, 25-21, and 25-23.

Suelen Lima led the attack with 12 kills and 12 digs with Marcella Hermont providing 25 assist.  Evelyn Araujo, Sofia Bettini, and Gabriela Marcella all finished with double digit digs.

In their second match of the day, the Gyrenes and Lady Crusaders kept fans on the edge of their seats.  WCU got off to a slow start allowing AMU to build a 17-8 lead before going on to take the set 25-18.  In the second set, Carey took advantage of a slow start by Ave Maria building a 17-10 lead before taking the set 25-16.  The Lady Crusaders once again got off to slow start in the set falling down early 7-0.  However, WCU regrouped and battled back to tie the set at 10 all but the Gyrenes once again were able to build a commanding lead to take the set.

The fourth set saw both teams trading points until WCU slowly pulled away to take the set 25-20 to force the deciding fifth set.  The Lady Crusaders opened the fifth set on a 5-1 run only to see AMU get within one point on a couple occasions.  With Carey holding a 9-8 lead, they took control of the set behind a 4-0 run to finish off the Gyrenes.

Suelen Lima followed up her first match of the day with 14 kills and 12 digs. Sofia Bettini finished with 13 kills and 15 digs with Elaina Anderson adding 13 kills.  Marcella Hermont finished the match with 43 assist while Evelyn Araujo had 19 digs.

Carey is back in action tomorrow, as they wrap up play in the Phoenix Invitational with matches against Missouri Valley at 9:00 am and Fisk University at 11:00 am.