DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras College Men's Volleyball team wraps up a six game roadtrip with matches against conference opponents, Fontbonne University and Mount St. Joseph College. After earning their first wins in program history, the Duhawks have their eyes set returning home with a conference win. Loras opens the weekend on Friday with a matchup with the Griffins of Fontbonne in St. Louis, Mo. before traveling to Cincinatti, Ohio for Sunday's clash with the Lions.
OPENING WITH ENERGY KEY FOR DUHAWKS ...
Coming out with energy in the first set has played a major role in the Duhawks' success this season. Win or loss, strong play on the side of Loras has been fueled by the amount of energy they open a match with. With many on the Duhawks roster competiting collegiately for the first time this season, the energy has been a way of calming nerves. Heading into a pair of road contests, the energy the Duhawks carry into the match could impact the end result.
SHYING AWAY FROM THE NATION'S BEST, NOT LORAS' STYLE ...
A first-year program taking on the top program in the nation isn't something that happens very often but for the Duhawks, it was just another game on the schedule. After securing back-to-back wins on Friday, the Duhawks traveled to Sheboygan, Wisconsin to take on Lakeland and No. 1 Stevens. Loras threw everything they had at two of the nation's top team's. In their match against Lakeland fought back to take the third set, pulling with 2-1 in the match before falling to the Muskies 3-1. Pitted against No. 1 Stevens in their final match of week seven, the Duhawks recovered from a shaky first set and played the Ducks to a pair of tight sets before falling 3-0.
DUHAWKS NOTCH PROGRAMS FIRST WINS ...
Loras took full advantage of the opportunities in Friday's matches with NAIA oppenents Trinity International and Calumet College of St. Joseph. The Duhawks jumped all over the Trojans, winning the first set 25-12. Loras used a season-best .339 kill percentage to oust the Trojans in four sets (3-1). After a short break, the Duhawks returned with energy and excitement against Calumet College of St. Joseph. Loras' energy and confidence was unmatched, fueling the Duhawks to the sweep of the Crimson Wave (3-0), to finish the Trinity International Triangular an unblemished 2-0.
COMBS NAMED CHAMPPION OF THE WEEK ...
Freshman middle Jimmy Combs earned Champpion of the Week honors for his play during the week of February 16-22. Fueling the Duhawks to their first two wins in program history, Combs hit a staggering .467 in five matches for the Duhawks. The Penfield, N.Y. native tallied 37 kills on 75 attacks while commiting just two errors. His play in the middle was highlighted by a near-perfect performance against Trinity International in which he tallied nine kills on 10 attacks without any errors. Combs added 16 blocks, six digs, six aces, and two assists to round out his stat line.
FRESHMAN DUO TAKE ON SETTING ROLES ...
In their last 6 games, freshmen Danny Krasich and Shayne Marquez have spilt their setting duties as part of the Duahwks' 6-2 rotation. Krasich, an Oak Lawn, Illinois product has led the Duhawks with 121 assists on the year averaging 4.17 a set. His teammate and Las Vegas native, Marquez is not far behind averaging 3.59 assists per set and 104 assists on the year. Head coach Thornburg commends the pair, adding that typically a setter role is reserved for an upperclassman on most teams, but Krasich and Marquez have embraced the role and are playing smart and confident while commanding their front rows.
BUILDING A PROGRAM ...
While the Duhawks are still looking for their first win, standing at 0-8, the team is able to look at the big picture and what they have accomplished. The lure of being a part of history and starting a new program drew many of the team's players in and the selling point is still working for Coach Thornburg as he currently has seven future Duhawks committed for the 2016 season. 23rd intercollegiate athletic program.
