MADISON, Wis. - Men's Volleyball returned to the Todd Wehr Edgedome as they looked to get back on track in NACC action. They faced off with the Wisconsin Lutheran Warriors. The Eagles (4-8, 1-2 NACC) soared on the back of their service game to a 3-1 (25-22, 20-25, 25-19, 25-16) victory over the Warriors (5-9, 2-1)
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After battling it out in the early going, a 5-1 sprint with three kills and an ace propelled Edgewood College ahead 14-10. Wisconsin Lutheran drew even 15-15, and the two squads exchanged blows down the stretch as they sat tied 22-22. Stout defense with back-to-back blocks helped the Eagles clinch a 1-0 match lead.
- While the opening serves of the second frame were a neck and neck affair, the Warriors pulled away on a 6-1 run for a 14-8 advantage. They would lead by as much as 19-11. Edgewood College battled back to close within 21-17, but the hole proved to be too much as Wisconsin Lutheran evened the match.
- A pair of aces from the Eagles pushed them ahead 7-3 early in the third set, puncuated by a solo block from
Will Gehrke. The Warriors would close within 13-11, but the wind was at Edgewood College's back as they flew to a set three victory off the back of a 7-2 rally featuring five kills.
- The Eagles left little room for doubt in the fourth set. Smothering defense and strong offense pushed them ahead 14-8 with a 6-1 burst. Wisconsin Lutheran ground down the edge to 15-13, but they had no answers to the Edgewood College onslaught. The Eagles finished the set and match on a 10-3 explosion featuring seven kills and two aces.
- The Eagles held advantages in aces (12-to-3) and digs (60-to-44)
- Three Edgewood College hitters finished with double-digit kills.
Owen Hartjes,
Ryder Hill-Zastrow, and
Carsyn Stringfellow all posted 11 kills. Hill-Zastrow added five blocks and Stringfellow a pair of aces.
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Will Gehrke anchored a strong offensive showing with 41 assists. He also added three blocks and two aces.
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Gavin Patterson tallied nine kills, four aces, and 12 digs.
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Jack Mullane finished with a match-high 15 digs.
- Brady Pichler swung for 15 kills in the defeat. James Biedenbender earned a 28-assist, 10-dig double-double.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Mullane's 15 digs were a career best.
- Patterson's four aces were a high watermark for his season.
- Hill-Zastrow's five blocks were a season high.
UP NEXT
The Eagles host the Dominican Stars at the Todd Wehr Edgedome Saturday. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. in the NACC battle.
