Webber Captures Men's Volleyball Tournament Title

MARIETTA, Ga. - Webber lived up to its Warriors nickname as it battled to a 3-1 victory over top-seeded Warner to win the 2023 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Volleyball Tournament championship on Saturday.

The tournament was held on the campus of Life in Marietta, Ga.

With the victory, Webber receives an automatic berth to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, which will be held April 11-15 at the MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex in Des Moines, Iowa.

Warner entered the match having won all 12 of its previous matches against AAC opponents this season and looked to continue that trend in winning the first set 25-18. However, Webber battled back to win the second frame 25-19. The Warriors maintained the momentum by taking the third set 25-21.

In the fourth set, Warner took an early 1-0 lead, but Webber quickly seized control and led the rest of the way. The Warriors led by as much as seven twice at 21-14 and 23-16 on their way to winning the frame 25-19 and the match 3-1.

Peyton Young registered a double-double with 10 kills and 30 assists in earning Tournament MVP honors. Joining him on the All-Tournament Team are Andrea Di Paola and Gunter Perea of Webber; Jeremy Torres and Matheus Ferreira-Collares of Warner; Victor Pacheco of Reinhardt; and Hazem Aldeghafar of St. Andrews.

The NAIA National Championship Selection Show is set for 5 p.m. on Monday, April 3.

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, March 30
Game 1 - No. 3 Webber (10-5) def. No. 6 Truett McConnell (0-17), 3-0 (box)
Game 2 - No. 4 St. Andrews (11-10) def. No. 5 Life (10-12), 3-2 (box)

Friday, March 31
Game 3 - No. 1 Warner (15-3) def. No. 4 St. Andrews (11-11), 3-1 (box)
Game 4 - No. 3 Webber (11-5) def. No. 2 Reinhardt (20-6), 3-2 (box)

Saturday, Nov. 12
Game 5 - Championship Game - No. 3 Webber (12-5) def. No. 1 Warner (15-4), 3-1 (box)