IRVINE, CA – The Merrimack College men's volleyball team lost their season opener match to Concordia University Irvine despite a second set push.
The Basics
Score: CUI 3,
Merrimack 1
Records: Merrimack (0-1), CUI (2-0)
How It Happened
Merrimack would have a strong start set off by a
Kasen Owens thunderous kill before igniting a powerful 4-1 run to take a 5-4 edge. CUI would reclaim the lead with three consecutive points, however, the Warriors remained persistent with
Ephraim Abhulime setting up the equalizer to tie the set at 7. The Warriors capitalized off several offensive errors on the Eagles side to remain competitive however, CUI would hammer another three consecutive points followed by a 4-1 run to secure a four point advantage.
Reece Lindstrom would set three crucial Warrior kills to close the gap to a three point margin but a monstrous four point streak lead by CUI's Morgan Marcus ultimately sealed the deal for the Eagles, 25-17.
Looking to avoid going down 2-0, the Warriors scored first in the second set off a tremendous kill by
Kasen Owens from
Reece Lindstrom. From there the blue and gold ignited a 5-1 run featuring a pair of kills from
Kai Vogel to extend a four point lead at 6-2. The Warriors would add two more kills to double the lead over the Eagles however, in typical CUI fashion the eagles hammered three straight points to close the gap to one. Merrimack was able to secure four more kills to reclaim a comfortable 3 point advantage. The Warriors topped off the match with an enormous 5-0 run featuring
Kai Vogel at the line serving to win set two, 25-20.
In the third set it would be CUI who knocked down the first three points, however, the Warriors notched four consecutive points to take a 4-3 lead. Both teams traded points for the next nine possessions, however, some offensive errors on the Warriors side set up a 4-1 run for the Eagles. Merrimack would close the gap with a 4-1 run of their own and would keep things close at the halfway mark, making it 16-15 but the Eagles had other plans. CUI would ignite a massive 5-0 run followed by three consecutive points to win set three, 25-17.
The fourth and final set of the match is where true Warrior determination showed. Initially down 3-1, Merrimack notched three kills to tie the match at 6. Both teams were neck-and-neck for the first half of play however,
Reece Lindstrom would set two kills late to give the Warriors a one point advantage. Unfortunately, several late attack errors by the Warriors gave the eagles the final edge to win set four, 25-21 and end the match in four sets.
Notes and Numbers
Up Next
Merrimack has a quick turnaround as they remain on the west coast to play Vanguard University tonight at 7:00 PM PT.
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