NEED TO KNOW
Score: Life U 3, Warner (FL) 0
Record: Life U 5-0
TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. — The Life University women's volleyball team continued its undefeated start to the 2026 season Friday afternoon, sweeping Warner (Fla.) 3-0 by scores of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-16. The Running Eagles improved to 5-0 on the season with the victory.
The Running Eagles battled through a tight opening set before creating separation midway through the frame. After Warner tied the set at 9-9, Life U scored four straight points to take a 13-9 advantage. The Running Eagles continued to build their lead, eventually going up 23-14 before Warner put together a late push. Life U answered with the final point to take the opening set 25-18. Jadyn Walters and Paola Vega each recorded two kills in the set, while Life U added three service aces and forced eight Warner attack errors.
Life U carried the momentum into the second set, building an 8-4 advantage before Warner trimmed the deficit to 8-7. The Running Eagles responded with another strong stretch, scoring five of the next seven points to take a 13-7 lead. Warner continued to battle and eventually pulled within 19-17, but Life U answered with five of the final seven points to secure the 25-19 victory and take a 2-0 lead. Emily Warner delivered a service ace during Life U's 8-4 start, while Kaylee Cantlin and Taelynn Epple each added kills during the early run.
The Running Eagles saved their most efficient offensive performance for the third set, hitting .357 with 14 kills and just four errors. Life U opened the frame with a 3-1 lead before extending the advantage to 6-1. Warner battled back to make it 12-10, but the Running Eagles responded with a 6-2 run to take an 18-12 lead. Life U continued to pull away down the stretch, scoring seven of the final 11 points to close out the sweep with a 25-16 victory. Alanis Calderon helped direct the offense during the set, while Cantlin, Walters, Ehigiator, Garraux and Kami Cowdrey all recorded kills in the final frame.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
– Life U finished with 30 kills, 28 assists, 44 digs, six service aces and two blocks.
– The Running Eagles hit .183 as a team and committed 15 attack errors on 82 attempts.
– Warner finished with 20 kills, 22 attack errors and a -.022 hitting percentage.
– Life U forced Warner into 22 attack errors, including eight in both the first and second sets.
– The Running Eagles recorded 75 total points to Warner's 53.
– Life U finished with at least 25 points in each set, while Warner scored 18, 19 and 16 points, respectively.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
– Jadyn Walters and Kaylee Cantlin led the Running Eagles with six kills apiece. Walters hit .385, while Cantlin posted a .308 attack percentage.
– Vitoria Reis paced the Running Eagles with nine assists and nine digs.
– Alanis Calderon added seven assists in one set of action.
– Medney Garraux finished with four kills, seven digs and two service aces.
– Taelynn Epple recorded three kills, two service aces and one block.
– Rylie Springer contributed six digs, three assists and one service ace.
– Emily Warner added two kills, four assists, five digs and one service ace.
– Esosa Ehigiator finished with three kills, two digs and one block.
– Kami Cowdrey added two kills, both coming in the third set.
The Running Eagles return to action Saturday facing Florida College and New College of Florida at 10 am and 12:30 pm.
