The Keiser volleyball team won both matches of their home opening tri-match on Friday afternoon. The Seahawks breezed by Florida National before pulling out a hard fought 3-2 victory over Presentation.

Game 1 – vs. Florida National
Set One
The Seahawks jumped out to a 7-4 lead before stretching it out to 11-4 with Nikki McKown having five kills during the span. Keiser went on to lead 22-9 but Florida National got to within 22-12. However, kills by Nicole Papineau and Veera Hietala gave the Seahawks a 25-12 win.
Set Two
Keiser took a 5-1 lead but the Conquistadors chipped away getting to within 7-6 and eventually tying it at 9-9. After three ties, Keiser ran off the next four points forcing Florida National into a timeout leading 16-12. Florida National got to within 20-18 but the Seahawks held them off winning 25-19.
Set Three
The Seahawks controlled the final set leading 24-13 before enduring a scare from Florida National as they cut the deficit to 24-22. However, Patricia Costa was able to put the ball away on an assist by Miranda Jickell winning the set 25-22 and the match 3-0.
Offense/Defense
McKown led the way with 11 kills, while Megan Minke had six. Nicole Papineau had 27 assists and Morgan Leff had 13 digs. Gida Victor had two solo blocks.

Game 2- vs. Presentation
Set One
Presentation led 3-1, but three kills by McKown and one by Hietala gave Keiser a 5-3 advantage. The Saints answered back regaining an 8-7 lead but Keiser used another 4-0 run to lead 11-8. The Seahawks continued leading at 17-14 and closed out the set outscoring their opponents 8-2 winning 25-16.
Set Two
Presentation controlled the entire set winning 25-16 and tying the match at 1-1.
Set Three
It was Keiser's turn to start fast jumping out a 5-0 lead behind strong serving of Papineau. Presentation fought back getting to within 17-16 and tied it up at 19-19. The Seahawks responded with a 4-0 run pushing back out to a 23-19 advantage. Presentation got to within 24-22, but after a KU timeout, McKown picked up a kill winning 25-22 and retaking a 2-1 lead.
Set Four
Facing a must win set, the Saints led 7-5 before stretching it to 13-5 and forcing Keiser into a timeout. Presentation pushed their lead to 22-16, but the Seahawks used a 4-0 run trimming the margin to 22-20. The Saints won the next two points to lead 24-20 when a pair of kills by Minke made it 24-22. However Presentation closed out the set forcing a decisive fifth set.
Set Five
Three kills and a service ace by Papineau gave Keiser a 4-0 lead before extending it to 7-1. The Saints cut it to 11-9 but kills by Chantelle Zamora and Mckown pushed the advantage back to 13-9. Presentation trimmed it to 14-13 but McKown put the ball away for a 15-13 Keiser win.
Offense/Defense
McKown led the way again with 20 kills while Zamora had ten of her own. Papineau had 48 assists and Leff had six assists and 22 digs. Kelsie Kopicki and Minke had two block assists.

Coaches Corner
"Very happy with how we played today. Getting two wins is a great start to the weekend for us. Team came out and played with a purpose in both matches and couldn't be happier with the outcomes. It was great to see players step up and make plays in both matches today," said Head Coach Chris Taylor.

Coming Up
Keiser rematches with Presentation tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 before facing Trinity College at 5:00 p.m.