The William Carey volleyball team opened its 2026 season with two wins Friday in Sarasota, Florida. The Lady Crusaders defeated Bethel University (Ind.) in five sets and then swept Florida Memorial in straight sets, according to team officials.
In the first match, William Carey and Bethel exchanged points early before the Pilots took control midway through the first set with a 6-2 run. The Lady Crusaders threatened to close the gap behind Alyssa Portee and Rachel Stegall, but Bethel responded with a decisive 6-0 run to win the opening set.
The Lady Crusaders bounced back in the second set, which was tightly contested. Bethel led 5-2 before Carey responded with a 4-0 run. The Pilots later led 12-7, but Carey stayed composed. Behind two blocks, two aces, and a kill from Emily Martin, Carey tied the set at 12. Neither team led by more than three points from there. Emily Martin’s kill gave Carey set point, and her block on the next rally secured a 25-23 victory, tying the match at one set apiece.
Carey carried momentum into the third set, jumping out to an 11-2 lead behind seven kills, a block, and Bethel attack errors. The Lady Crusaders cruised to a 25-10 win, taking a 2-1 lead in the match. The fourth set was back and forth, ending tied at 21. Bethel finished on a 4-1 run to force a fifth set.
In the decisive fifth set, Carey pulled ahead early and maintained control. After trading points, Carey built an 11-5 lead behind Rachel Stegall, Agnes Hegardt, and Martin. Bethel fought to stay in the match, but Carey closed with an 15-8 victory, capped by a kill from Alejandra Villarreal.
The Lady Crusaders then faced Florida Memorial, taking control early and never relinquishing it. They established dominance from the opening serve, with Villarreal recording several early kills. Florida Memorial struggled offensively, allowing Carey to build a comfortable lead and win the first set.
The second set saw Carey extend its lead with strong serving and attacking, including an ace by Bicalho and kills from multiple players. The Lady Crusaders won 25-14 to move within one set of victory. Florida Memorial challenged more in the third set, but Carey responded with kills from Eckert and Easley and back-to-back aces from Evelyn Araujo to secure a 25-14 win and complete the sweep.
William Carey is scheduled to play Warner University at 12:30 p.m. and New College of Florida at 4:30 p.m. Saturday to conclude the tournament, according to team officials.
