Contact: Emily Adlfinger, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

Feb. 22, 2020 – The Loras College men's volleyball team (7-4, 1-1 CCIW) ran into a tough matchup against a College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) foe on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 3-0 decision to the No. 12-ranked Carthage College Red Men (8-3, 2-0 CCIW).

The Red Men controlled the pace for the first set, taking an 11-5 lead early. A service error by Carthage gave Loras the serve and the Duhawks were able to capitalize on Carthage's errors and a kill from Fiorenza to tie the set 11 all. But the Red Men came charging back, scoring six unanswered points to lead 17-11 and continued to build on the lead to pull ahead 24-15. A kill from Jake Filotto off the set by Patrick Hollander put a halt to Carthage's run at set point and the Red Men surrendered two errors to keep the set going but held on to take the first set, 25-18.

The Duhawks took the lead in the second set, after a kill by Filotto and a service ace by Patrick Mahoney put them up 7-4. Carthage regained the lead 10-8 and soon found momentum to lead 17-11 until the Duhawks scored three straight points with a kill and ace by Fiorenza. The Duhawks were ready to not go down without a fight as Fiorenza tallied three kills to keep Carthage at bay, 24-23, but the Red Men escaped Loras' comeback for a 25-23 win.

Hollander got Loras started in the third set with an ace and a kill by Andres Martinez tied the set 4-4. Carthage took the lead back after a short run put them ahead 14-8 but the Duhawks remained persistent with kills by Filotto and Ian Walsh. Another run by the Red Men gave Carthage a ten-point lead and after trading points in the final portion of the set, the Red Men closed the third set with a 25-15 win, handing the Duhawks the first conference loss of the season.

Fiorenza led all players with 11 kills while Filotto tallied five and Martinez had four. Fiorenza also had two service aces while Filotto led the Duhawks with five digs. The Patrick duo of Hollander and Mahoney came up with one block. Carthage's Braeden Waumans tallied ten kills but it was the defense that proved troublesome for the Duhawks as the Red Men came away with 12 blocks in the match. 

Loras' next match is Monday, Feb. 24 when the Duhawks continue CCIW action at Millikin University. First serve in Decatur, Ill. is set for 7:30 P.M.