KINGSPORT, Tenn. — The Life University men's volleyball team saw its season come to a close Friday afternoon in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Tournament Semifinals, falling in straight sets to Reinhardt (GA), 3-0 (25–19, 26–24, 25–22), at a neutral-site matchup in Kingsport.
Life concludes its 2026 campaign with a 16–10 overall record after advancing to the semifinal round of the conference tournament.
The opening set saw Reinhardt establish control early, capitalizing on Life attack errors to build separation. The Running Eagles kept pace midway through the frame but were unable to recover from a late run by Reinhardt, dropping the set 25–19.
Set two proved to be the most competitive of the match, featuring multiple ties and lead changes. Life found its offensive rhythm behind strong distribution from setter Riley Chapman, who finished with 24 assists and helped the team to its most efficient attacking set of the afternoon. Trailing late, the Running Eagles battled back to extend the set, but Reinhardt edged out a 26–24 win to take a 2-0 match lead.
Facing elimination in the third, Life continued to fight, keeping the score tight throughout much of the set. Kills from Serano Keijl, who led the team with 12, and contributions at the net from Vincent Eisinga and Jan Burhardt helped Life stay within striking distance. However, Reinhardt closed on a late push once again, securing the 25–22 set win and completing the sweep.
As a team, Life totaled 25 kills and hit .085 for the match, while adding 30 digs and 12 total blocks defensively. Eisinga contributed five total blocks along with six points, while Burhardt added six blocks of his own presence at the net.
Despite the loss, the Running Eagles' run to the AAC Semifinals marked a strong finish to the season, showcasing growth and resilience throughout the year.
