MADISON, Wis. – Men's volleyball kicked off their 2026 campaign at the Todd Wehr Edgedome Saturday. They took on the UW-Stevens Point Pointers and the Illinois Wesleyan Titans. The Eagles (0-2) conceded a hard-fought 3-1 (25-21, 25-27, 25-23, 26-24) loss to the Pointers (2-0), before the Titans (3-0) earned a 3-0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16) victory in the night cap.
MATCH ONE: UW-STEVENS POINT 3, EDGEWOOD UNIVERSITY 1 (25-21, 25-27, 25-23, 26-24)
- A 6-1 sprint from the Pointers pushed the visitors ahead 11-7 in the opening set. While a 3-0 stretch from the Eagles as their offense clicked pulled them within 18-17, UW-Stevens Point closed out the first set on a 4-1 burst to earn a 1-0 edge.
- An early 4-1 run carved out a 9-6 edge for the Eagles early. A 6-1 response from the Pointers propelled the visitors to a 14-12 advantage. Three unanswered pushed Edgewood University up 23-20, but UW-Stevens Point forced extra points with a 4-1 stretch. Strong offense and stout defense won the set in extra points for the Eagles.
- The squads jostled over slim leads as the lead in the match hung in the balance. While Edgewood University struck first with a 3-0 burst, a 4-0 answer from the Pointers had UW-Stevens Point up 17-15. While the Eagles closed within 24-23, a kill from the Pointers sealed the set.
- An early 5-2 edge had the Pointers with momentum heading into the fourth set. The two squads exchanged 4-0 haymakers as Edgewood University sought to stay alive, UW-Stevens Point ahead 18-17. A 5-1 stretch had the Eagles ahead 23-21 late but the Pointers offense and defense were too much for Edgewood University to handle as they fell in four sets off a 4-1 run.
- UW-Stevens Point had a .186-to-.176 edge in hitting percentage. The Eagles posted a 13-to-7 advantage in blocks.
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Cade Schueller earned a 10-kill, 13-dig double-double.
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Oakley Griggs swung for 15 kills and tallied four blocks.
Owen Voigt earned six blocks and
Owen Hartjes four.
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Ethan Hoffert fueled the Edgewood University offense with 40 assists, while
Jack Mullane held down the back row with 15 digs.
- Nate Olsen paced the Pointers with 15 kills. Sam Jolin had 22 assists and Liam Robertson 22 digs.
MATCH TWO: ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 3, EDGEWOOD UNIVERSITY 0 (25-20, 25-23, 25-16)
- The Eagles started hot with a 6-2 run in set one. The Titans responded in the middle of the frame with five unanswered, including three kills and two aces. An 8-3 finisher pushed Illinois Wesleyan to a set one victory.
- The two squads battled for position as the second set rolled on, but the Titans struck first with a 6-1 burst for a 19-15 lead. Edgewood University roared back late, a 6-1 run drawing them back to a 23-23 tie. The last two points went to Illinois Wesleyan as the claimed a 2-0 lead.
- An 8-1 torrent from the Titans put the Eagles firmly behind the eight ball in the third set. Edgewood University would never recover, being outhit .216 to -.101 in the set as they fell in a sweep.
- Illinois Wesleyan posted a .216-to-.101 advantage for hitting percentage in the set.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Voigt's six blocks against UW-Stevens Point matched his career high.
- Stringfellow's three aces versus the Pointers were a new personal best.
UP NEXT
The Eagles will continue their season-opening homestand Tuesday. They'll host the Loras Duhawks at the Todd Wehr Edgedome with first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Duhawks are ranked no. 14 in the preseason Division III AVCA poll.
