Santa Cruz slugs Men’s Volleyball

MEQUON, Wis. – The CUW men's volleyball team battled again on Friday night and fell short against California-Santa Cruz, 3-1. The Banana Slugs took the match, 18-25, 25-17, 25-13, 25-20.

The Falcons broke open the first set on Friday night at the 6-6 mark. A kill from Andy Ellingham gave the Falcons the lead and never looked back. Ellingham landed a service ace to push the Falcons lead up to 12-7. UC-Santa cut the lead to 18-16, but the Falcons rallied with a 5-0 run behind the serve of freshman Nathan Petrus (St. Louis, Mo.). CUW took the first set, 25-18.

The Banana Slugs jumped out to a hot start in set two and took any early 7-2 lead. The Falcons did not fold and when on an 8-2 run to take the lead with a kill from freshman Spencer Herman (Appleton, Wis.). With the set tied at 11, Santa Cruz broke free with five-straight points and took a 21-13 lead, before taking the set at 25-17.

UC-Santa Cruz cruised in the third set to take the lead in the match at 25-13.

The Falcons stayed close with UCSC throughout the fourth set on Friday. CUW did not surrender without a fight and won three-straight points, before falling 25-20 in the final set.

Spencer Herman led CUW with 10 kills on Friday. Senior Blake Schwandt (Kenosha, Wis.) was a part of six blocks, while junior James Althoff (Kenosha, Wis.) finished with 10 digs.

CUW returns to the tight NACC race on Tuesday at Rockford.