Men’s Volleyball nearly wins programs first match

MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia Wisconsin pushed Maranatha Baptist to a five-setter on Friday evening, but couldn't pull out the program's first win, falling 3-2 (25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 18-25, 12-15). The Falcons then dropped a three-set match to Olivet (22-25, 17-25, 17-25) inside the R. John Buuck Field House.

THE BASICS
Final Scores: Maranatha Baptist 3, Concordia Wisconsin 2 (25-23, 19-25, 25-23, 18-25, 12-15); Olivet 3, Concordia Wisconsin 0 (22-25, 17-25, 17-25)
Location: R. John Buuck Field House (Mequon, Wis.)
Records: Concordia Wisconsin 0-4, Maranatha Baptist 1-1, Olivet 2-0

HOW IT HAPPENED
- It was close throughout against Maranatha Baptist, with 22 scoring ties and nine lead changes. It was a battle for the first win in either program's history, as the Sabercats are also a first-year program.
- The Falcons came back from a 10-4 deficit in the opening set to win 25-23 and set the momentum early. They held off the Sabercats in the third frame, after leading 23-20, to own a 2-1 advantage in the match. However, Maranatha Baptist built large leads down the stretch that were difficult to overcome.
- Freshman Sam Rovik (Silver Lake, Wis.) posted 15 kills, 11 digs and thee service aces, while freshman Isaac Glynn (Byron, Minn.) had 31 assists, 11 digs and three block assists.
- Against the Comets, it was close in the opening set with the scoreboard reading 18-16 for the Falcons. Olivet responded with a four-point scoring run before eventually taking the frame 25-22. They would double-digit leads in the final stanzas before earning a sweep.

THE OPPOSITION
- Derek Wallis led Sabercats with 19 kills, to go along with 12 digs and three service aces. Luke Hassenplug added 10 digs, while Tim Kile and Matt Wetzel posted 21 and 20 assists, respectively. Joel Depue led the defensive efforts with 29 digs.
- Karl Deichmann and Brock Pringle each had 10 kills for the Comets, while Aaron Giorgi directed the offense with 28 assists and five service aces. Tanner Gardenour tallied nine digs.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
- Concordia Wisconsin hosts Greenville and IIT on Saturday at 11 and 3 pm inside the R. John Buuck Field House.