MADISON, WIS. – Men's Volleyball hosted a clash of playoff-bound NACC teams Saturday night for Senior Night at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. They took on the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks in a Senior Night showdown. The Eagles (9-12, 6-6 NACC) clinched the six seed in their first-ever NACC Tournament berth with a 3-1 (25-22, 26-24, 22-25, 26-24) victory against the Scarlet Hawks (11-16, 6-6).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Illinois Tech rolled early with five unanswered points and an 8-4 lead as Edgewood College struggled to find their groove. A 5-1 response brought the Eagles to a dead heat with the Scarlet Hawks as the teams jockeyed for position down the stretch. Edgewood College found their opportunity late, their defense fueling a 6-2 rally to help push them to a first set victory.
- A 6-2 opening for the Eagles in set two was matched by a 5-1 answer from Illinois Tech as the teams continued to battle for every point. A two-point edge in favor of Edgewood College proved to be stubborn, but the visitors would put together three-straight points late to draw even 23-23. The Eagles shined in extra points, earning a 26-24 final and a 2-0 lead.
- A tough Scarlet Hawks squad would not go quietly into the night. Their offense and defense hummed on a 7-2 rally to take a 13-7 lead in the third set. While a trio of aces would propel five unanswered from Edgewood College in response, a 5-1 run from Illinois Tech helped the visitors stay ahead and stay alive in the match.
- Neither team gave an inch to open the fourth set. The Scarlet Hawks would grind out a 13-10 edge, though the Eagles replied with a 7-3 stretch to take a 17-16 lead. Illinois Tech flipped momentum back in their favor late with a 23-22 tally, but Edgewood College would close out the 3-1 final with a 4-1 run.
- Both teams posted 49 kills. The Eagles won the hitting battle .169-to-.162.
-
Owen Hartjes paced Edgewood College with 11 kills and five blocks. He hit .421 on 19 attempts.
-
Owen Voigt earned nine kills and three aces.
-
Jack Mullane posted 16 digs, while
Gavin Patterson tallied nine.
-
Will Gehrke claimed a double-double with 38 assists and 10 digs.
- Five Eagles recorded seven or more kills. Four had three or more blocks.
- Aaron Hanny had a match-high 19 kills for the Scarlet Hawks.
- Maximo Dowling earned a 14-dig, 10-kill double-double.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- With the victory, Edgewood College clinched the six seed in their first-ever NACC Tournament berth.
- The win was the Eagles' first against Illinois Tech.
- The nine victories in 2025 are a new program record.
- With the victory, Edgewood College earned its sixth NACC win in 2025, a new program high.
UP NEXT
The Eagles will aim to fly high as they enter their first-ever NACC Tournament. They'll travel to Lisle, Ill. Tuesday for first round action. The third-seeded Benedictine Eagles await with first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
