MARIETTA, Ga. --- The Life University men's volleyball team opened their season Friday night, cruising to a 3-1 win over Rio Grande University.
In what proved to be an error-ridden contest where both Life U (1-0) and Rio Grande (0-1) committed countless unforced errors, the Running Eagles found a way to win two consecutive sets to open the 2023 season with a match win.
Despite the early struggles, the Running Eagles held large advantages in both kills and aces, leading the statistics 36-26 and 11-7, respectively. Life U also held the edge in assists, 33-20.
In the first set, the teams traded scores back and forth until midway through. The Running Eagles then struggled, going down 22-15, but quickly erased the deficit with an 8-0 run, fueled by Diego Perez. Perez's dominance was predominantly from his services, raking in all five of his aces on the day during the 8-0 run. Going ahead 23-22, the Red Storm then tied the set before the opening period came to an end after a Rio Grande attacking error, 25-23.
The visitors then went on to take the next set, leveling the match at one each.
The third set was much closer than the second set until about midway through. Leading by a slim two-point margin, 15-13, the Running Eagles found themselves on the advantageous side of attacking errors again as a 7-0 run put them far ahead, 22-13. The two teams then traded points until a final service error gave Life U the 25-17 set three win.
The fourth and final set ended completely in favor of the Running Eagles. After an opening 3-0 run put the Running Eagles ahead, the Red Storm immediately countered with their attack, leveling the set 3-3. The teams remained neck and neck until Life U. created separation after a 12-all tie. Four Red Storm attacking errors resulted in a time out, but with the separation already starting to mount, a Diego Martinez kill moved the score to 22-15. Two more kills and an additional attacking error from Rio Grande ended the tumultuous stretch for the Red Storm.
In the end, Ryan Ollie led the attack with ten kills while David Barcan and Diego Perez both contributed eight and six. Nikolas Carrascal excelled with a game-high 31 assists.
The Running Eagles will remain at home hosting at Campbellsville in the Upper Gym at 1 PM.
