Men’s Volleyball Drops Four-Set Match at Marian

Originally posted by IIT

FOND DU LAC, Wis. – Illinois Tech's men's volleyball team trekked north for a Wednesday evening match at Marian University, a future Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference opponent. In what was a competitive match throughout, the Sabres (5-6) down the Scarlet Hawks (5-8) 3-1.

Easton Kays led Tech with a .444 hit percentage in the loss (photo credit: Judith Rackow).

Scores

Marian 3, Tech 1 (20-25, 21-25, 26-24, 20-25)

GAME LEADERS

ILLINOIS TECH

K: Cinjun Coe - 19

B: Evan Robeck - 3

D: Derek Bostick - 14

SA: 2 Players (#9, #15) - 1

MARIAN (WIS.)

K: Jon Smallpage - 19

B: 2 Players (#11, #13) - 4

D: Cullen Liberski - 21

SA: Jacob DeGroot - 3

How it Happened

• While Tech hit to the strong tune of .267% in the first set, Marian logged a .371% to counter. The strong attack allowed the Sabres to pull away late, closing out the set on two kills.

• In set two, the Scarlet Hawks jumped out to a 4-2 lead before the Sabres went on a 6-1 run. Tech stayed close, but never regained the lead back throughout the set.

• The third set was the night's most exiting. After the Sabres went up 1-0, Tech took the lead and never relinquished it the rest of the way. However, after trailing by as many as six (15-9), Marian climbed back to tie the score at 21-21. The score then proceeded to tie at 22-22, 23-23, and 24-24, as Marian counted every Tech point with one of its own. Lukasz Kupiec would take over to give the Scarlet Hawks the set win, recording kills for the final two points.

• Set four went Marian's way early (7-4), but Tech quickly regained some control, taking a lead at 14-13 on an Easton Kays kill. Marian, however, managed to pull back ahead and stave off Tech for the victory.

Scarlet Hawk Standouts

• Kays tallied 11 kills, a block assist, and a team-high .444 hit percentage.

• Cinjun Coe led the team with 19 kills, had 11 digs, and recorded a .293 hit percentage.

• Kupiec added 10 kills of his own.Setter

• Ben Peschl (28 assists) and libero

• Derek Bostick (14 digs) led the team in their respective categories.

Stats to Know

• Marian outhit the Hawks .268% to .209% and had 56 kills compared to Tech's 47.Aces (6-2), digs (54-47), and blocks (14-8) were also advantages for Marian.