NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 3, Talladega 1
Records: Life U 7-10 (AAC, 1-6); Talladega 4-5 (AAC, 2-5)

MARIETTA, Ga. – The Life University men's volleyball team picked up a four-set win over the Tornadoes of Talladega on Tuesday afternoon. The Running Eagles rallied behind 19 kills from Ethan Bustos while Serano Keijl posted 15 in the contest.

Life U opened the contest with a hard-fought first set. Neither team took more than a two point lead until late in the set when the Running Eagles finally began to pull away. Six straight points gave the home squad a 21-16 lead as Jakub Kantorowicz recorded a pair of kills during the stretch. The Tornadoes attempted to rally back into the set but came up short.

The Running Eagles once again looked to be in control, holding Talladega at arms length for the majority of the second set. However, late errors allowed the Tornadoes to take advantage and steal the set, 25-22.

Now entering a pivotal third set, Life U once again came out hot. Leading by as many as five early, strong offensive play continued to propel the Running Eagles further ahead. A late 20-13 lead allowed the home squad to coast to a 25-18 set win. Life U finished the set with a .296% hitting percentage compared to just a .050% hitting percentage from the visitors. The Tornadoes also made seven service errors in the frame.

Desperate to force a fifth set, Talladga jumped out to a lead early in the fourth. The Running Eagles continued to battle in the set, keeping the contest close at all times. The efforts were finally rewarded late when a kill from Bustos gave them their first two point lead of the set, 21-19. The visitors made things interesting, clawing back to a one point deficit but match ending kills from Bustos and Jeremy Ferreira sealed a 25-22 win from Life U.

Up next, Life U hits the road for four games at the Phoenix Classic, starting on Friday, March 14. 

TURNING POINT: