NEED TO KNOW:
Match 1 Score: Clarke 1, Life U 3
Match 2 Score: Clarke 1, Life U 3
Record: Clarke, 0-3; Life U 2-0
MARIETTA, Ga. - The Life U men's volleyball team picked up a pair of victories Saturday at home against Clarke University starting the season with a 2-0 record. The Running Eagles surrendered one set in both matches winning 3-1 over the Pride in match one and match two.
Match 1: Clarke 1, Life U 3
The Running Eagles got off to a slow start against Clarke with the Pride being able to snag a first set win 25-21. The next two sets were all the Running Eagles 25-19 and 25-18 and were able to take advantage of some errors in both sets. Life U left no doubt in the fourth set taking it 25-19 in dominant fashion.
Clarke jumped out to an early 18-13 lead forcing a Life U timeout in the first set, but the battle continued as the Pride led 22-16. Life U made a late run to challenge, but Clarke was able to put the first set away.
The second set saw the Running Eagles race ahead to a 11-6 lead creating enough space to take off with enough momentum to snag the first set win. It was a close battle down the stretch but the Running Eagles' lead proved to be enough with a 25-19 second set win.
The Running Eagles took charge again in the third set to steal another set away, taking the Pride by surprise with a 16-10 run to create enough room to take the third set. Life U used momentum in the fourth to leave no question, dominating their opponent to win by six.
It was a balanced attack for Life U as six Running Eagles recorded kills led by Jose Llaneza and David Barcan both with 12 and Diego Martinez with ten. Alexis Prado added 12 digs while Nefty Vigo contributed 34 assists.
Match 2: Clarke 1, Life U 0
The Pride tried to keep pace with Life U but the Running Eagles were able to claim a 3-1 win taking the first, second and fourth set. Life U led 22-17 in the first set before the Running Eagles gave up two points but were able to finish the set 25-19 from a kill by freshman Drew Nunley.
Life U and Clarke both put up a tough fight in the second set with back-and-forth errors. The Running Eagles began to chip away and worked it back to a six point lead 20-14. Clarke was able to rally and stay in the set outscoring Life U 6-4 late, but the Running Eagles closed it by a kill from freshman Jeremy Ferreira.
The third and fourth set was a closer set again as the Pride led 17-15 but Clarke took control down the stretch going on a 7-2 run to make it a 23-16 set. The Pride added four attack errors towards the end but were able to end the set with a 25-20 win. The Running Eagles and Pride battled hard throughout the fourth set with the largest margin only being three points. Clarke ended the set on an attack error giving Life U the game with a 25-22 win.
Xavier Jones added nine kills and Jakaris Brown added eight while Nunley added four blocks and Nefty Vigo added 29 assists.
Up next, Life U continues at home on Wednesday, January 31 at 7 p.m. against Talladega College in the Upper Gym.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
-- Llaneza and Barcan led Life U with 12 kills while Martinez added ten in the first match.
-- Vigo led Life U with 34 assists against Clarke in the first match and 29 assists in the second match.
