NEED TO KNOW:

Match 1 Score: Life U 3, Rio Grande 0

Match 2 Score: Life U 1, Campbellsville 3

Records: Life U, 10-4; Rio Grande, 5-13; Campbellsville, 12-5

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. - The Life U men's volleyball team earned a split in Kentucky Saturday against University of Rio Grande and Campbellsville University.

For the fourth game in a row, the Running Eagles began the afternoon with a win, triumphing over Rio Grande 3-0. However, the Running Eagles dropped a four-set match to Campbellsville to close out the day 1-1.

Match 1: Life U 3, Rio Grande 0

The Running Eagles dominated the Blazers from the early going and never looked back in a three-set victory to start the day. 

Life U held Rio Grande behind in dominant 25-21 fashion before taking control in the second and third sets as well on the way to their tenth victory of the season.

Jose Llaneza had an outstanding start to the day, leading the squad with six kills while also adding three blocks. Alexis Prado started out hot too with four digs and three assists. However, setter Carlos Pinto topped the team with 13 assists. 

Match 2: Life U 1, Campbellsville 3

In a matchup that was hard fought throughout, Campbellsville prevailed with a furious fourth-set rally to overtake the Running Eagles.

The first set was back-and-forth in the early going, with neither side able to separate. However, the Tigers turned a 13-11 trail into a 15-13 lead. From there, Life U was unable to recover, with Campbellsville taking the set by a 25-20 margin. 

In the second set both teams were once again close but after a 24-24 tie Campbellsville was able to break away after extra points to take the set 27-25.

The Running Eagles were undeterred, battling back to win the third set 26-24 as the Tigers committed eight attack errors compared to just six for Life U.

The fourth set mirrored the first and second, with the Tigers bouncing back and taking the game, 25-20 after a kill to end the day. 

David Barcan led Life U with 20 kills and Diego Martinez added ten kills. Alexis Prado totaled 14 digs and five assists.

Carlos Pinto nn led the squad with 22 assists, while Nefty Vigo added 17 assists. 

Up next, the Running Eagles will host Mount Vernon Nazarene University, taking on the Cougars this Tuesday, March 5th at 6 p.m.