NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 3, Aquinas (MI) 2
Records: Life U 1-0; Aquinas 0-1

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Life University men's volleyball team opened its season in dramatic fashion Thursday night, rallying from a two-set deficit to earn a five-set road victory over Aquinas College.

After dropping the opening two sets, the Running Eagles responded with composure and physicality, winning the final three frames to complete the comeback, 3-2 (19-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 15-8).

The Running Eagles weathered an early challenge in the opening set before Aquinas pulled away late. The second set was tightly contested throughout, but the Saints edged out a narrow 25-23 decision to take a 2-0 lead.

The momentum shifted in the third as Life found its offensive rhythm. The Running Eagles hit .375 in the frame and pulled away late behind timely kills from Jan Burhardt and Vincent Eisinga, closing the set 25-21 to get on the board.

The Running Eagles then continued to dictate play in the fourth set, controlling the net and forcing long rallies. Burhardt anchored the front line while Charles Ewer and Serano Keijl provided key finishes as Life held steady to take another 25-21 set and force a deciding fifth.

Carrying that momentum into the final frame, the Running Eagles jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Hitting an impressive .600 in the set, Life overwhelmed Aquinas from the opening serve and closing out the comeback with a decisive 15-8 victory.

STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
— Jan Burhardt led all Life players with 15.5 points, adding nine kills, two solo blocks, and nine block assists at the net.
— Serano Keijl paced the offense with 13 kills and added two service aces.
— Vincent Eisinga delivered an efficient night, recording nine kills on .467 hitting while contributing four total blocks.
— Riley Chapman orchestrated the offense with 29 assists and chipped in nine digs in a five-set effort.
— Nazmi Bayoglu anchored the back row, leading all players with 15 digs.