GREENVILLE, Ill. (Duhawks.com) - In the MCVL opener, the Loras Men's Volleyball team defeated Greenville in a five-set thriller on Friday night (26-24, 25-23, 25-17, 25-21, 15-9).  After dropping the opening two sets, the Duhawks stormed back to win the next three to secure the victory. Junior Dylan Ross led the way for Loras, posting a program-record 20 kills on a blistering .459 attack percentage. Sophomore Alfredo Lopez and junior Shayne Marquez facilitated the offense effectively, combining for 60 assists in the win. Friday marked the first time in program history that Loras opened the MCVL season with a win in the program's three-year history.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Set 1 

• With both teams deadlocked at 21-all, the Duhawks opened the first significant margin of the frame, scoring three straight points with junior Blair Anderson at the service line.
• After a Panther timeout, Greenville used  a crucial five-point run to close out the set one victory, 26-24. 

Set 2

• The Panthers used their momentum from the first-set comeback in set two, resulting in a sizable lead at 14-9. 
• Loras refused to go down easily, fending off five consecutive set points before Greenville managed to secure the set win at 25-23.

Set 3

• The Duhawks strung together a run of five-straight points, which included two kills apiece from Ross and sophomore Greg Kinney, leveling the set at 12-all.
• A kill from sophomore Alfredo Lopez, who's statline included 12 kills, 23 assists and five digs, put the finishing touches on Loras 25-17 set three win.

Set 4

• Greenville jumped on the Duhawks early in the set, scoring four of the first five points to take a 4-1 lead. 
• Loras continued to battle back throughout the frame, eventually breaking through on a Kinney kill, which gave the Duhawks their first lead at 20-19.
• Anderson ripped off one of his five service aces on the night to complete the set win, 25-21.

Set 5

• In the deciding frame, the Duhawks trailed early, going down 3-1, but quickly turned the tide, scoring four of the next five points to force a Panther timeout, leading 5-4.
• After a Greenville timeout, Loras continued its push, taking a 13-7 lead, which prompted a second timeout from the Panthers.
• A kill combined with an ace from Kinney after the timeout sealed the comeback win for the Duhawks, taking set five, 15-9, and the match, 3-2.

NOTABLES

• Loras at No. 8 Carthage sit atop the MCVL Western Division at 1-0
• The Duhawks are one of three teams currently with three wins
• Junior Shayne Marquez recorded a career-best 33 assists on Friday, edging his previous mark of 30 set against Fontbonne his freshman season, which also broke a school record
• Sophomore Austin Kuchenbecker tied his career-high with seven blocks
• As a team, Loras set program records for kills in a match (62), assisted blocks (28), assists (60), and total blocks (16.0)

FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Dylan Ross | Ross recorded the best game of his career in the win, posting a program-record 20 kills, a .459 attack percentage while adding 11 digs for his first career double-double.

UP NEXT
Loras concludes its road trip with a 1 p.m. league contest against Fontbonne on Saturday afternoon. The match will serve the MCVL-opener for Fontbonne, who enters with a 3-1 overall record. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.