Eutectics Fall to Jaguar in Straight Sets

UNIVERSITY PARK, ILL. – The Eutectic men's volleyball team travelled north on Wednesday to return a non-conference match at Governors State University, falling in three sets to the Jaguars for the second time this season:   25-19, 25-22, 25-17. The Jaguars (20-6), who are currently receiving votes for national rankings, participated in the HOA Challenge tournament hosted by UHSP back in January, going 3-1 at the event, including a 3-0 win over the Eutectics.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

• After falling behind 9-3 in the first set, the Eutectics went on an 8-1 scoring run, highlighted by kills from Cooper Hansen and Grant Hoover set by RJ Dilks, blocks from Hansen, Zander Quenzer, and Cameron Werner, and including an ace from Hoover, to take an 11-10 lead. But, the Jaguars later came through with their own scoring run to get to set point. The Eutectics fought them off for several points, by eventually lost the set at 25-19.
• The second set was close from the start, with Governors State scoring three points in a row after a 20-20 tie. Kills from Dilks and Hansen earned two more points for the Eutectics, but the home team ultimately won 25-22.
• Up 8-7 in the third set, the Jaguars scored five points in a row to go up 13-7 – a lead that would prove to be insurmountable for the Eutectics. Despite a late surge by UHSP, the Home Team would take the set at 25-17 and claim the match.
• The Eutectics recorded 20 block assists to the Jaguars' eight (plus one solo block), but the Jaguar offense, including 42 kills on 96 attempts and five service aces, outshined the Eutectics.
• Cooper Hansen knocked down 11 kills in the match, while Cameron Werner had five kills on eight attempts along with seven block assists. Zach Gavrick recorded seven digs and RJ Dilks put up 21 assists. GSU's Daniel Lopez collected 14 kills on 29 attempts (.345 attack percentage) and 10 digs.

UP NEXT:

The Eutectics, now 9-12 overall and 5-8 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference, will return home to host two Conference matches this weekend. It begins on Friday, Mar. 21, against Grand View University (Iowa) at 7 p.m., before a 1 p.m. Saturday match versus William Penn University (Iowa).