Fulton, Mo. — History was made in the middle of Missouri Friday evening for Southwest Baptist University, as the men's volleyball program began their inaugural season. They started out their first season going 1-1 defeating Spalding University and falling to Westminster in a nail biter 5th set.
Game 1: Win, 3-0 vs Spalding
The very first set of the game nearly set an NCAA record for points in a set as neither team gave in. After going back and forth, the Bearcats claimed the first set of the match and their program defeating the Golden Eagles 38-36. After that it was all Bearcats as they won their next two sets 25-15 & 25-20, clinching their first win.
Evan Strahlendorf led the team in kills with 11 hitting an incredibly efficient .417 hitting percentage. His serving ace and two assisted blocks gave him 13 total points to lead the team. Middle blocker
Jeremiah Crecelius had a near perfect game with five kills on only nine attacks for a .556 hitting percentage, tagging along six assisted blocks. Freshman setter
Keahi Kaneakua led the team with 31 assists along with his team high two aces.
Game 2: Loss, 2-3 vs Westminster
In game number two, the Bearcats were tested early on but showed their resilience by nearly completing a reverse sweep. The first two sets went the way of the Blue Jays 20-25 & 19-25. Heading into the third set, SBU brought a new fire with them as they went on to control it with a 25-22 win. That momentum carried over to the fourth set as a 25-23 win forced a 5th set. An early 4-1 run by the Blue Jays put them ahead and the Bearcats weren't able to complete the reverse sweep.
Freshman
Lucas Phelan led the team this game with 17 kills and nearly had a double-double with nine digs. Strahlendorf continued to be efficient hitting .429 with 13 kills.
Darrell Kosechequetah recorded the first ever point in the men's volleyball program and reached double figures with 10 kills in this match.
Donel Sengele added intensity to the match with his efficient nine kills for a .533 hitting percentage.
The men's volleyball program will now get to experience their first game on home court this next Friday, January 30th. They will take on Avila University at 6:00 p.m. in the Meyer Sports Center.
