NEED TO KNOW:

Match 1 Score: Life U 3, Warner 0

Match 2 Score: Life U 2, Campbellsville 3

Records: Life U, 15-8 (6-2 AAC); Warner, 7-12 (3-5 AAC); Campbellsville, 19-7 

MARIETTA, Ga. - The Life U volleyball team earned a split Friday evening taking an AAC win from Warner in the Upper Gym.

The Running Eagle began the afternoon with a win, triumphing over Warner 3-0  in AAC play. However, Life U dropped a five-set heartbreaker to Campbellsville to close out the evening 1-1.

Match 1: Life U 3, Warner 0

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

Life U held Warner to ten points in dominant 25-10 fashion before taking control in the second and third sets as well on the way to their six conference victory.

The stats were one-sided in favor of the Running Eagles as well, as they held a 42-18 edge in total kills and delivered a .424 hitting percentage while holding the Royals to a .038 hitting percentage.

Xavier Jones had an outstanding start to the day, leading the squad with nine kills on a .250 hitting percentage while also adding two service aces. Freshman Ethan Bustos reached eight kills and two blocks, while David Barcan put eight on the board and also six digs. However, sophomore setter Neft Vigo topped the team with 19 assists for the match.

Freshman Jeremy Ferreira led defensively with five blocks.

Match 2: Life U 2, Campbellsville 3

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

The first set was taken by Campbellsville in the early going, with the Tigers turning a 10-all tie into a 21-15 advantage. From there, Life U was unable to recover, with Campbellsville taking the set by a 25-17 margin. 

The Running Eagles were undeterred, battling back to win the second set 25-15 as the Tigers committed five attack errors compared to just one for Life U.

The third and fourth sets mirrored the first and second, with the Tigers bouncing back and taking the third, 25-23, before the Running Eagles were able to stay alive with a 25-18 win in the fourth set.

Playing just its second five-set match of the season, the Running Eagles raced out to a 10-7 advantage and had the win within their grasp. Unfortunately, the Tigers had one more rally in them, outscoring the Running Eagles 15-10 the rest of the way to take the victory.

Xavier Jones again led Life U with 18 kills and nine digs. David Barcan had another huge game with 14 kills and three service aces. 

Alexis Prado led the squad with 12 digs, while Nefty Vigo had 27 assists and Carlos Pinto added 23. Jeremy Ferreira held the defense together again with six blocks. 

Up next, the Running Eagles will be back in action tomorrow at home for a tri-match against Webber International University and Talladega College at 12 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.