NEED TO KNOW
Score: Life 3, Benedict 1 (21–25, 25–16, 25–18, 25–19)
Record: Life 10–5 (5–2 AAC)
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's volleyball team defended home court in a four-set match Wednesday night, taking down NCAA DII Benedict College 3–1 inside the Upper Gym in midweek action.
The Running Eagles once again showcased resilience, coming from behind after dropping the first set of the night to rally for three-straight sets.
Life U opened the first set in a back-and-forth battle as the Running Eagles and Tigers traded rallies and the lead. Working through the middle minutes, the game remained tight as a kill from Serano Keijl left the contest tied 18-18. However, the visitors closed strong, going on a 7-3 run that included the final four-straight points of the set to take a 1-0 set lead.
The Running Eagles answered immediately in the second, opening on an 8-3 run and forcing an early timeout out of the visitors. The break did little to slow down an electric offensive display as Life U proceeded to increase the lead to 14-5 just minutes later. The difference climbed to double digits, 18-8, as the Running Eagles continued to hammer away on Benedict. A service error from the Tigers and a kill from Jan Burhardt sealed the set at 25-16.
The third set mirrored the first as the teams battled close to start the set. Life U held a narrow lead at 13-9 as the Tigers called timeout to regroup midway through. This time, the timeout worked as the visitors answered with three-straight points to pull the contest back within one. Multiple kills from Jakub Kantorowicz, Charles Ewer, Riley Chapman, Ethan Bustos, Vincent Eisinga and Keijl were the response from Life U as home squad claimed a eight-point lead (23-15). From there, the Running Eagles closed set three 25-18.
In the fourth, Benedict refused to go quietly. An early five-point rally gave the Tigers a 10-7 lead. Once again, Life U responded in kind, going on an 8-2 stretch that flipped the contest. Back in front, Life U never trailed again in the contest and closed out a 3-1 win over NCAA Division II opponent Benedict College.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
--Life U boasted 56 kills on a .299 hitting percentage.
--The Running Eagles recorded 52 assists, 39 digs, and 12 total blocks.
--Life U finished with 6 services aces to the 5 of Benedict.
--Benedict hit .125 as a team with 36 kills.
--The Tigers recorded 11 blocks and 34 assists.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES
--Serano Keijl led the team with 20 kills on a .342 hitting percentage, six digs, and one ace.
--Jakub Kantorowicz added 10 kills, nine digs, and three assists.
--Jan Burhardt posted 7 kills, adding eight total blocks and two digs.
--Riley Chapman dished 44 assists to go along with four kills, four total blocks and five digs..
--Nazmi Bayoglu led the defensive effort with 15 digs.
