Men's Volleyball's Comeback Falls Short

MEQUON, Wis. - Saturday's match saw the Concordia University Wisconsin men's volleyball team show incredible resilience against Augustana, fighting back from a 2-0 deficit to force a decisive fifth set. Despite their effort, the Falcons fell short in the final set, losing 15-10, and dropping their overall record to 2-6 on the season.

The Vikings claimed the first set 25-21, pulling away after the score was tied 9-9. A series of CUW errors allowed Augustana to lead 20-17, but the Falcons fought back, narrowing the gap to 21-20 before the Vikings ultimately secured the set. Freshman Reid Scott (Chandler, Ariz.) was a standout, recording five kills with a .444 hitting percentage in the opening frame.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with Augustana winning 25-21. The set was tightly contested, featuring nine ties and five lead changes. Early on, the teams exchanged points, with the score knotted at 9-9 before Augustana gained a 17-11 advantage. Once again, CUW mounted a comeback, with kills from junior Tate Miller (Anthem, Ariz.) and freshman Hayden Hurley (Gilbert, Ariz.) narrowing the deficit to 22-20. However, the Vikings closed out the set to take a 2-0 lead.

With their backs against the wall, the Falcons responded in the third set, winning 25-21. The offense came alive as Scott and senior Lucas Beres (Germantown, Wis.) each recorded three kills, while Miller and freshman Owen Kolozsy (Carol Stream, Ill.) added two apiece. The team hit an impressive .346, and despite 13 ties and four lead changes, CUW pulled away late to secure the win.

Riding the momentum from the third set, the Falcons dominated the fourth, winning 25-16. The set was tied 9-9 before CUW went on a 12-4 run, led by kills from Beres and Miller and errors from Augustana. The Falcons sealed the victory with a 25-16 scoreline, forcing a fifth and final set.

In the decisive fifth set, CUW jumped out to a 4-2 lead after a service ace by Beres. However, the Vikings responded with a four-point run of their own and never looked back, closing out the match with a 15-10 win to take the match 3-2.

Scott Reid led the Falcons with 16 kills, while Beres added 12, hitting .500 for the match. Hurley dished out 28 assists, and defensively, junior Parker Pearson (Keller, Texas) led the team with 33 service receptions and 11 digs. Beres also contributed five blocks, including one solo.

The Falcons will continue their tough schedule with a match against UC-Santa Cruz next.