MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (February 18, 2019) – The back-to-back defending Small College Beach National Champion Webber International University women's beach volleyball team opened up its new 2019 season with two quick 5-0 Sun Conference wins over Ave Maria University and Florida Memorial University on Saturday, February 16. In the end, the Warriors did not drop a set all weekend, and held their opponents to single-digit points in a set seven times.

The wins also marked the first two victories for the Warriors' new head coach, Jessica Gehrke-Hauptmann.

"This is a great way to start the season," spoke Gehrke-Hauptmann. "I was very pleased with how the team performed. The team is working hard and elevating their level of play each day and we are looking forward to next weekend."

Match 1 (Webber 5, Ave Maria 0):

• The No. 1 duo of Emily Bowen and Hannah Tannone won 21-13, 21-18.
• Mekenzie Breuklander and Madelyn Glouner dominated in the No. 2 spot, winning 21-7, 21-5.
• Jessica Terry and Salla Rautiainen won 21-19, 21-13 in the No. 3 spot.
• Julia Ferraro and Molly Fusarelli won 21-11, 21-16 in the No. 4 position.
• Maricarmen Jaimes and Cameron Neely were victorious 21-15, 21-14 in the five hole.

 
Match 2 (Webber 5, Florida Memorial 0):

• Emily Bowen and Hannah Tannone won handedly in the top spot, taking it 21-9, 21-11.
• For the second straight match, Mekenzie Breuklander and Madelyn Glouner dominated their match in the No. 2 position, winning 21-7, 21-6.
• Jessica Terry and Salla Rautiainen were victorious 21-9, 21-13 in the No. 3 spot.
• Julia Ferraro and Molly Fusarelli won 21-12, 21-7 in the No. 4 position.
• In the No. 5 spot, Maricarmen Jaimes and Cameron Neely won 21-13, 21-16.

 
Next Up:  Webber will compete in the Paradise at the Burrow tournament, hosted by NCAA Division-I Florida Atlantic University on Friday, February 22, and Saturday, February 23, in Boca Raton, Florida. The Warriors will play FAU at 8 a.m. on Friday followed by a 2 p.m. meeting with NCAA Division-II Florida Southern College that same day. Then, on Saturday, Webber will battle two more NCAA D-I teams, starting with Texas Christian University at 8 a.m. and followed by the University of North Florida at 2 p.m.