FOND DU LAC, WIS. – Men's Volleyball wrapped up the Sabre Classic Saturday in Fond du Lac, Wis. They faced off with the Viterbo V-hawks and the Westminster Blue Jays, the latter receiving votes in the latest Division III AVCA poll. The Eagles (3-5) took down the V-Hawks (0-3) in 3-1 (27-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20) fashion, but the Blue Jays (10-1) earned a hard-fought 3-1 (32-30, 25-19, 21-25, 25-14) victory in the second match.
MATCH ONE: EDGEWOOD UNIVERSITY 3, VITERBO 1 (27-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-20)
- While a 6-1 rally pushed the Eagles ahead 13-6, the V-Hawks slowly took over the first set. A 15-6 stretch had Viterbo ahead 21-19 late as Edgewood University struggled to handle their serves. A 5-2 rally would help the Eagles force extra points and their offense took over from there for a first frame win.
- The V-Hawks replied with four unanswered to kick off the second set. A 9-3 stretch would help Edgewood University respond and pull ahead 18-17. They built on their one-point edge late, back-to-back points off of a Viterbo service error and an
Oakley Griggs ace helping them hold a 2-0 lead in the match.
- The V-Hawks started set three up 5-2, but the Eagles once again battled back on a 6-1 rally to hold a 10-9 edge. Tied 17-17, Viterbo put together a 7-2 rally to force a fourth set.
- After handing points off back and forth, Edgewood University put together a 6-2 rally to pull ahead 13-8 in the fourth frame. Their lead proved to be stubborn, though the V-Hawks would pull within 22-19 off the back of a 6-2 run. The Eagles would close out the set and match on a 3-1 stretch to earn their second-straight victory.
- Three Edgewood University hitters finished with double-digit kills.
Carsyn Stringfellow swung for 14 kills with only two errors for a .632 hitting percentage on 19 attempts.
- Griggs earned a 12-kill, 12-dig double double with four aces.
Cade Schueller posted an 11-kill, 10-dig double double.
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Ethan Hoffert and
Bryce Wrobel formed an effective setting duo with 25 and 15 assists respectively. Wrobel added on three blocks.
- Logan Amdur recorded a triple-double with 10 kills, 11 assists, and 13 digs. He also had three blocks.
MATCH TWO: RV WESTMINSTER 3, EDGEWOOD UNIVERSITY 1 (32-30, 25-19, 21-25, 25-14)
- The first set was a wrestling match, neither squad leading by more than two points throughout. While the Eagles had set point, a key kill from the Blue Jays sent the two off to extra points. Westminster would regain the lead 28-27 with back-to-back points, before a kill and an ace would seal the marathon in their favor.
- Four unanswered from the Blue Jays in the second frame pulled them ahead 14-9. While they would lead by as many as seven points, a 7-4 stretch from Edgewood University would cut the edge down to 23-19 before Westminster's offense took over to finish off the set.
- Much like the first two verses, the squads wrestled over slim leads early. This time the Eagles took over on a 10-2 run that featured four aces from Griggs as the Blue Jays had no answers for the relentless response. A valiant last effort with four straight points pulled Westminster within 24-21, but a kill would force a fourth set.
- The Blue Jays defense proved to be smothering in the fourth set. They held Edgewood University to a -.133 hitting percentage and never trailed on route to a decisive match-clinching win.
- Westminster proved to be more efficient on offense, outhitting the Eagles .241-to-.184.
- Derrick Turner posted 12 kills and four blocks. Connor Johnson fueled an impressive offensive output with 38 assists.
- Griggs tallied 14 kills for a match high as well as four aces. Schueller added on 13 kills of his own.
- Hoffert earned 39 assists.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Griggs four aces against the V-Hawks and Blue Jays were both career bests.
- The double-double against Viterbo was the first of Griggs' career as an Eagle.
UP NEXT
Edgewood University will take some time off before returning to action on Wednesday, February 11. They'll travel to La Crosse, Wis. for a rematch with the Viterbo V-Hawks. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
