NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Warner 3, Life U 2
Record: Life U 5-6; Warner 2-4
MARIETTA, Ga. – The Life U men's volleyball team put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell in a five-set thriller against Warner (FL) on Saturday afternoon. Despite dropping the first two sets, the Running Eagles responded with back-to-back dominant performances in the third and fourth before narrowly falling in the decisive fifth set.
The match opened with a competitive first set, where Life U kept pace with Warner early on. However, the Royals capitalized on late errors to secure a 25-23 win. In the second set, Warner controlled the tempo, forcing the Running Eagles into tough situations and claiming the set 25-18.
Down 0-2, Life U came out firing in the third set, hitting at an impressive .423 percentage. Jeremy Ferreira led the charge with several key kills, while Carlos Stadtlober's precise setting kept the offense running smoothly. Life U controlled the pace throughout, ultimately closing the set 25-19 to shift momentum in their favor.
Building off their third-set success, the Running Eagles carried their dominance into the fourth. Jakub Kantorowicz and Matthew Riddle provided crucial plays at the net, combining for key blocks and timely kills. Meanwhile, Life U's defense, led by Alexis Prado's 15 digs, held Warner in check. A late push from the Royals wasn't enough, as Life U stayed strong to take the set 25-20, forcing a deciding fifth.
The final set was a battle from the first serve. Life U jumped out to an early lead, fueled by continued strong play from Ferreira and Stadtlober. However, Warner regrouped, taking advantage of a few critical moments to inch ahead. Despite the Running Eagles' best efforts, the Royals managed to edge out a 15-13 victory, sealing the match.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
— Jeremy Ferreira led Life U with a team-high 19 kills while hitting an outstanding .500.
— Carlos Stadtlober facilitated the offense with 32 assists and contributed four service aces.
— Jakub Kantorowicz delivered 12 kills, a block, and several clutch plays down the stretch.
— Alexis Prado anchored the defense with 15 digs.
