DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Edward Waters University women's volleyball team opened its 2026 campaign on Thursday with a pair of matches at the Bahama House Classic, hosted by Embry-Riddle University inside the ICI Center.
The Lady Tigers dropped both matches on the opening day of the tournament, falling to Florida Southern and Florida Tech in straight sets.
Match One: Florida Southern 3, Edward Waters 0
Edward Waters opened the season against Florida Southern in the first match of Thursday's doubleheader. Despite battling throughout the contest, the Lady Tigers fell in three sets, 25-21, 25-18 and 25-11.
Making her Edward Waters debut, Heylianis Aquino led the Lady Tigers with a strong all-around performance, recording eight digs, five kills and two service aces.
Jewel Helmuth added six kills and two digs, while Brooklyn Jones contributed five kills and four digs.
Freshman Naraiya Thompson led the Edward Waters offense with 14 assists, while also adding three digs and two kills in her collegiate debut. Shaniah Jones chipped in nine assists and four digs for the Lady Tigers.
Match Two: Florida Tech 3, Edward Waters 0
In the second match of the day, Edward Waters faced Florida Tech and once again competed in three sets before falling 25-14, 25-17 and 25-15.
Thompson continued her impressive start to her collegiate career, recording the Lady Tigers' first double-double of the 2026 season with 14 assists and 11 digs. The freshman also added two kills and a block.
Aquino followed with seven kills and six digs, while Norah Laurore turned in a team-high eight kills to go along with four digs.
Senior Dimaliz Figueroa contributed five digs and five assists in the effort.
Although the Lady Tigers opened the season with two losses, Edward Waters showed promising contributions from several newcomers and returning veterans throughout the opening day of competition.
Up Next
The Lady Tigers will wrap up play at the 2026 Bahama House Classic on Friday when they face tournament host Embry-Riddle University.
First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside the ICI Center in Daytona Beach, Florida.
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