NEED TO KNOW:

Score: Benedict 3, Life U 2

Record: Life U 1-2; Benedict 5-6

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Life U men's volleyball team fought hard but came up just short in a five-set battle against Benedict College on Thursday evening. The Running Eagles started strong, claiming the first two sets before Benedict mounted a comeback to take the match in five.

Life U opened the match on fire, controlling the first set with an efficient .296 hitting percentage. Ethan Bustos and Jakub Kantorowicz led the attack, helping the Running Eagles secure a convincing 25-16 win. The momentum carried into the second set, where Life U continued to dictate play. Serano Keijl and Carlos Stadtlober delivered key plays late, and the Running Eagles sealed a 25-21 victory to go up 2-0 in the match.

Benedict, however, responded in the third set, taking advantage of unforced errors by Life U to edge out a 25-22 win. The fourth set was a back-and-forth contest, featuring 12 ties and five lead changes. Despite a late push from Life U, Benedict held on for a 25-19 win to force a decisive fifth set.

In the final frame, the Running Eagles kept things close early, but Benedict capitalized on key plays down the stretch to claim the set 15-12, completing the comeback victory.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:

— Ethan Bustos led Life U with 17 kills, hitting .265 while adding three service aces.

— Jakub Kantorowicz recorded 14 kills and 11 digs for a double-double.

— Carlos Stadtlober dished out an impressive 56 assists and added 10 digs.

— Siebe Gieter anchored the defense with a team-high 20 digs.