DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – In their first season as a program, the Loras College Men's Volleyball team has refused to steer away from the nation's top competition. Hosting No. 6 Carthage College on Saturday night, the Duhawks used their energy, athleticism, and overall scrappiness to play the Red Men to an exciting three set match.
Blair Anderson's team-high 11 digs were not enough to silence the crushing attack of Carthage as the Duhawks fell 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-19) in the Athletic & Wellness Center.
Loras (0-7, 0-2 MCVL) never led in the first set, taking time to adjust to the lanky blocks of the Red Men. Managing just four kills in the set, the Duhawks' defense held Carthage to just .043 hitting in the opening set, before falling 25-15.
In the second set, the Duhawks threw everything they had at the Red Men. Trailing by two early on, freshman
Danny Krasich set senior Michael Kresier. Using the block to his advantage, Kreiser earned the kill to pull his team within one.
The big hit by the Duhawks captain brought freshman
Shayne Marquez to serve. Stiffling serves kept Carthage from getting in system and built momentum on the side of the Duhawks. A pair of kills by freshman
Dylan Ross combined with a series of errors by Carthage, propelled Loras to a 12-9 lead.
The Duhawks edge turned into a four-point deficit after the Red Men charged ahead using an 8-1 run.
Unwilling to give up, the Duhawks fought their way back behind a kill from freshman Kyle Zacock and pin point serving by freshman
Dawid Kasprzak. Trailing by just two, 20-18, Loras ran out of steam, falling 25-19.
Carthage carried their momentum over to the third set, taking a 19-10 lead to force a Duhawk timeout.
Out of the break, the Red Men pushed their lead to 11 before Marquez set freshman
TJ Esporas on the outside. An acrobatic set by Marquez set Esporas up perfectly for the kill, breaking Carthage's run and the Duhawks drought.
For the next few points, the teams traded serves before the Red Men moved it to match point on an ace.
Trailing by ten, the Duhawks threw everything they had on the court. Anderson handled a tough Carthage serve flawlessly, allowing Krasich to set Kreiser for a blistering kill. The hard hit was followed by a Red Men error before Kreiser crushed another kill.
Fighting for the match, 24-17, the Duhawks serve hit the tape, falling on the side of the Duhawks. The error ended Loras' comeback attempt, as they fell 25-17 in the final set.
Game ChangerThe defensive effort of the Duhawks fought off a potent Red Men attack and answered the towering blocks with pronounced effort, keeping them in points throughout the match. Freshman
Blair Anderson paved the way with a match-high 11 digs, in addition to countless pickups off Carthage block attempts.
Key StatCarthage recorded 31 kills, while the Duhawks tallied 21 kills in the match.
Notables- Freshman Shayne Marquez recorded the first start of his Duhawk career in the loss
- Senior Michael Kreiser recorded a team-high seven kills
- The Duhawks strength of schedule is up there with the best in the nation. Loras is set to play No. 1 Stevens, No. 13 Mount St. Joseph, and No. 14 MSOE later this season.
Quotable
Jeremy Thornburg, head coach"This was a match that we had nothing to lose in so for me it was like, we might as well go out and play hard and see what happens. You really have to play the best of the best of your game to keep up and or beat them."
Next UpThe Duhawks finish out their three-game home stand on Wednesday when they welcome the Benedictine Eagles to the Athletic & Wellness Center. Loras will be hungry for revenge after dropping their first of three meeting with the Eagles in the preseason. First serve set to take place at 7:00 p.m.
