DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - Leo Peters opened his senior campaign with a statement on Sunday, totaling 25 kills to help lead the Loras men's volleyball team to a pair of wins over Mt. Mercy and Illinois Tech.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
• The Duhawks utilized a 7-0 run thanks to three kills and two services aces to create separation in set one
• Loras held set point at 24-21 before Mt. Mercy tallied three straight points to shift the momentum before taking the set, 28-26
• The Mustangs opened the second set on a 5-0 run before the Duhawks responded with an 8-1 run of their own
• Leading 17-13, Loras put the set out of reach thanks to a 7-1 run with four kills and a pair of service aces, taking the second set 25-17
• Mihajlo Gomez started the third set with three consecutive service aces
• After leveling at 9-all in the fourth set, the Duhawks took the lead and never trailed again, winning the match 3-1
• Fresh off his 15-kill performance in the first match, Leo Peters continued his dominance with seven kills in the opening set against Illinois Tech … As a team, Loras totaled 18 kills, hitting .375
• The offense continued to roll into set two, hitting .435 with 13 kills, led by Gomez' four kills on five attempts
• In the third set, Jake Chudzik and Patrick Hollander each recorded two service aces, leading the Duhawks to the sweep

NOTABLES
• Peters recorded a career-best 15 kills against Mt. Mercy … His previous best was 13, which he accomplished twice last season against Wittenberg (Feb. 17) and Augustana (March 10)
• Ian Walsh finished with three solo blocks for a new career-high while totaling eight kills and a .412 attack percentage
• Mihajlo Gomez' five service aces set a new career-high for the sophomore and is tied for sixth all-time … Alfredo Lopez and  Chudzik co-own the program record with seven
• Head coach Jeremy Thornburg improved to 4-1 in season-openers, which includes wins in each of his last four seasons
• Loras improves to 3-0 all-time against Mt. Mercy and 5-1 against Illinois Tech

UP NEXT
With the upcoming academic break, the Duhawks head east to Indiana for a non-conference match against Trine. The Thunder are a first-year program and members of the Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m. (ET).