KINGSPORT, Tenn. - It was a battle worthy of having a championship on the line as top-seeded Reinhardt outlasted No. 2 seed Webber International 3-1 to win the 2024 Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men's Volleyball Tournament title on Saturday.
The three-day tournament was held at the Tribe Athletic Complex in Kingsport, Tenn.
With the 25-15, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15 win, Reinhardt not only claimed the tournament crown but also punched its ticket to the NAIA National Championship Tournament, which is set for April 30-May 4 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The bracket will be unveiled during the NAIA Selection Show on Monday at 5 p.m. ET.
Reinhardt looked to be on cruise control early on as it won the opening set with relative ease at 25-15. However, Webber came back and won the second frame 25-19. The Warriors appeared to be on their way to taking a 2-1 match lead as they led for the majority of the third set. A service error gave Webber a 23-22 lead, but Reinhardt closed out the frame scoring the final three points to win the set 25-23 for the 2-1 match advantage. The Eagles got kills from Victor Pacheco and Gabriel Gutierrez and an ace from Alex Sanchez during the decisive rally.
From there it was smooth sailing for Reinhardt as it won the fourth set 25-15 for the 3-1 match win and the tournament championship.
Sanchez posted 18 digs and three aces in earning Tournament MVP honors. He finished with 37 digs in two tournament matches.
Joining him on the All-Tournament Team were Gutierrez and Bruno Dewes of Reinhardt; Ayden Keeter and Thoralf Schmelzer of Webber; Diego Martinez of Life; and Hazem Adbelghafar of St. Andrews.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 18
Game 1 - No. 2 Webber (16-1) def. No. 7 Truett McConnell (6-20), 3-0 (box)
Game 2 - No. 3 Life (22-10) def. No. 6 Warner (5-17), 3-0 (box)
Game 3 - No. 4 St. Andrews (22-9) vs. No. 5 Bluefield (9-14), 3-1 (box)
Friday, April 19
Game 4 - No. 1 Reinhardt (27-1) def. No. 4 St. Andrews (22-10), 3-0 (box)
Game 5 - No. 2 Webber (17-1) def. No. 3 Life (22-11), 3-0 (box)
Saturday, April 20
Game 6 - Championship Game - No. 1 Reinhardt (28-1) def. No. 2 Webber (18-1), 3-1 (box)