MADISON, Wis. – Men's Volleyball wrapped up their season-opening homestand in dramatic fashion Thursday night. They took on the North Park Vikings at the Todd Wehr Edgedome. The Eagles (1-3) claimed their first victory of the season, putting away the Vikings (0-2) in a dominant fifth set for a 3-2 (22-25, 25-17, 23-25, 25-19, 15-9) victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- While Edgewood University started with a 4-1 edge, North Park took over in the middle of the set as the Eagles struggled on serve receive on a 12-2 rally that put the Vikings firmly in control of the first set.
- Edgewood University came out hot in the second set with high-octane offense and stout defense fueling a 10-2 burst. North Park had no answers as the Eagles evened the match while outhitting the visitors .179 to -.063.
- The Vikings bounced back early in set three off the strength of their serve game, leading 9-4 after five unanswered. Edgewood University hung tough, closing within 24-23 with three straight kills, but the North Park offense responded to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
- The Vikings kept momentum early in the fourth, carving out a 12-8 advantage. The Eagles roared to life on a 9-3 burst to earn a 17-15 gap. While North Park would claim a 19-18 edge, Edgewood University went on a tear with seven-straight points to force a fifth set.
- The Eagles left no room for doubt, their onslaught in the fifth set forcing both Vikings timeouts before changing courts. Edgewood University hit .471 with only one error in the final set to claim their first victory of the season.
- The Eagles outhit the Vikings .256-to-.095 on the evening. They posted a 12-to-5 advantage in blocks, while North Park had the edge in aces with a 8-to-4 margin.
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Oakley Griggs excelled on offense. The freshman swung for 18 kills on 38 attempts for a .316 hitting percentage.
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Cade Schueller also shined with 13 kills on 38 attempts, hitting .237. He also added a pair of aces and three blocks
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Jack Mullane and
Tanner Sindorf formed a strong tandem on the back court with 12 digs apiece.
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Owen Hartjes held down the fort at the net with seven blocks.
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Ethan Hoffert fueled the high-octane Edgewood University offense. He posted 39 assists while also contributing 10 digs and two blocks.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The victory was the first in program history over North Park.
- Hoffert's double-double was his first as an Eagle, his 10 digs a career best.
- Sindorf's 12 digs were a personal best.
- Griggs' 18 kills and Schueller's 13 were both new high watermarks for the freshmen.
- The .256 hitting percentage was the best as a team this season.
UP NEXT
Edgewood University will take a well-deserved weekend off before hitting the road Tuesday for nonconference action. They'll take on the Augustana Vikings in Rock Island, Ill. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
