MARIETTA, Ga. ---- The Life University men's volleyball team traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan to compete in three non-conference contests over the weekend. The Running Eagles delivered a 2-1 record over the weekend, losing to the hosts, Cornerstone, before sweeping both Trinity International and Lawrence Tech Saturday afternoon.
The Running Eagles won the pair of three-set sweeps against Trinity and Lawrence Tech Saturday after falling to Cornerstone in a thrilling five-set series Friday night.
In the opener against Cornerstone, the Running Eagles started out in a two set hole after losing both of the opening frames 25-23. The Running Eagles then bounced back in the third set winning 26-24, before squeezing out another extra-point set win in the fourth, 31-29. Cornerstone then opened the fifth set on a tear, scoring the first six points. The Running Eagles were able to recover to a slim 13-12 deficit, but a CU kill and a Life U. attacking error saw the team ultimately fall in five sets to the host. As a team, Life U totaled 58 kills with a .226 hitting percentage. They added five service aces with 13 total blocks, 55 assists, and 38 digs. Individually, Diego Martinez led the charge with 19 kills. David Barcan (15) and Jose Llaneza (10) also finished in double figures. Gracjan Mackowiak added seven total blocks. Nefty Vigo totaled 53 assists in the defeat.
In the opener of day two, Life U defeated Trinity International 3-0. Life U opened the match with an impressive 25-8 win in set one, crushing the Trojans with a 9-1 run to begin the match. The Trojans responded with a little fight in the second set, losing 25-15 before the Running Eagles edged out the third set 25-21 for the clean sweep. Life U totaled 33 kills as a team with a .254 hitting percentage. They added seven service aces and led 6-4 in total blocks with 31 assists and 32 digs. Martinez, Barcan, and freshman Charles Ewer led the attack with nine, six, and five kills, respectively. Barcan led the way with four service aces while Jakaris Brown totaled five blocks in the sweep. Vigo again finished with a strong performance, tallying 27 assists and a team-high eight digs.
In the final match of the day, Life U again dominated to a 3-0 win over Lawrence Tech. The Running Eagles won the first set 25-18 and the second set 27-25. The second set was close throughout, with neither team leading by more than four. Consecutive kills from Llaneza and Mackowiak ultimately won the set for the Running Eagles. In the third set, Life U earned an 8-2 lead and cruise to a 25-17 finish. The Running Eagles finished the match with 39 kills and a .329 hitting percentage. They added six aces, eight blocks, 35 assists, and 27 digs. Barcan led the way offensively again with 12 kills as Vigo picked up 33 assists. Alexis Prado picked up a match-high 10 digs in the sweep as well.
The men's volleyball team will return to action on Friday, March 3, as they host Webber in the Upper Gym at 7 PM.
