Riga started in a timid mood and unforced errors enabled Solent to lead 6-2. Superb serving by setter Phil Wyles triggered the recovery and the set ended 15-9 in Warwick's favour.
They swept into an 8-2 lead in the second, with John Gilling and Gary Oakley posing problems for the Solent defence.
Coach John Boughton then rested skipper Tom Young - who was carrying a hand
injury - and sent on ex-England player Mike Percival. The set closed with Riga
15-6 ahead.
Lack of concentration at the start of set three, together with more errors let
the visitors in to lead 11-3. Oakley again sparked the comeback, and with Phil
Leach - another new man - playing a greater part, the points were gradually
pegged back.
Solent reached set point, but newcomer three, Simeon Nex, together with Wyles blocked the attempt.
Wyles squared the set with some astute serving, and after more tense rallies, and fine net play by Percival - including a brilliant one-man block at set point, Riga snatched it 17-15.
"It was a difficult match" said skipper Young. "With so many new players in the team -we suffered from self inflicted pressure,- and were too nervous at the start. But we won, and that's what matters. We know we can play better."
Riga have the chance to do that when they travel to Liverpool - surprisingly beaten in their opening match by newly promoted Leeds - this weekend.
