Braves Defeat Eutectics in Four Sets

OTTAWA, KAN. – Playing in their second Heart of America Athletic Conference (HEART) matchup of the season on the road, the Eutectic men's volleyball team took one set off the Ottawa University Braves (7-2, 2-0 HEART) on Friday night, but ultimately fell 3-1 to the home team.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

Ottawa def. UHSP 25-18, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18

• The Braves got out quickly to start the match, taking an 18-10 lead before the Eutectics won seven of the next 10 points to come within three points at 20-17, thanks to kills from Maxwell McVickers and Grant Hoover (assisted by Gabriel Schneekloth), along with a block from Schneekloth and Cameron Werner and an ace from Hoover. The Braves, however, were eventually able to close out the set 25-18.
• Despite the first set loss, the Eutectics came out strong in Set 2, stringing together five points in a row during Sylvan Block's service with an ace and kills from Cooper Hansen and Hoover to go up 10-7. The Braves came back to take the lead at 21-20, but the Eutectics won five of the final seven points off blocks from Aidan VanCleef and Werner, along with kills from Werner, Hoover, and VanCleef set up by Schneekloth, to take the set 25-23 and even the score at one set apiece.
• Ottawa took a small lead early in the third set at 7-4, from which the Eutectics were unable to recover. They trailed the Braves by at least a point or two throughout the set, and ultimately lost the set 25-20.
• The momentum remained with the Braves into Set 4 as they took a 10-1 lead before a kill by Hansen assisted by Schneekloth stopped the bleeding. A series of kills by Hoover and Hansen (assisted by Schneekloth and Nolan Rausch) got the Eutectics back in the set, getting within four points at 21-17. But, the home team was able to fight off the Euts to win the set 25-18.
• The Eutectic front row defense notched nine blocks in the match compared to the Braves' three. But, the Ottawa attackers averaged .385 for hitting percentage, while the Eutectics hit at .239.
• Grant Hoover racked up a season-high 20 kills on 42 attempts for a .333 attacking average, while also leading the team in digs (12) to notch a double double. He also picked up three block assists and an ace. Cooper Hansen and Cameron Werner also reached double figures in kills, with Werner converting 10 of 19 attempts for a .421 average. Gabriel Schneekloth recorded 32 attempts, Werner picked up four block assists and one solo block, and defensive specialists David Quinones and Xavier Gamayo combined for 22 digs.
• Petar Lazic led the Braves with 20 kills, while Marko Zolnjan and Macort Pickup each recorded double doubles in kills and digs.

UP NEXT:

The Eutectics are now 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the HEART as they continue with Conference competition on the road. On Saturday, the Purple and Gold will be at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina for a tri-match with Central Christian College (Kan.) with matches at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Eutectics will have a chance to avenge their loss to the Braves like they did last season when the Ottawa team returns the trip to St. Louis on April 3.