Contact: Nathan Cameron, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, 563.588.7243

RIVER FOREST, Ill. (Feb. 11, 2021) - The Loras College men's volleyball team (1-1) took on the Dominican University Stars (1-0) on Thursday night in River Forest, Ill. Coming off of a three set victory over Edgewood College last weekend, the Duhawks entered the matchup against the No. 6 nationally ranked Stars riding high on a season-opening win but were edged in three sets. 

Early in the first set it was the Duhawks that held a lead, scoring first off of a service error by Dominican's Jack McGuire. The following play, Dominican committed an attacking error off of the hand of Adrian Cebula to put the Duhawks up 2-0. The set was held close by the Duhawks, staying within two points of the No.6 nationally ranked Stars until the middle part of the set when solid offense put them ahead to take the first set. 

In set number two it was the Stars who got on the board first, taking a 2-0 lead early. Dorian Fiorenza answered to light the spark for the Duhawks followed by another kill from Tyler Kratochvil. The next play it was again Kratochvil who added a point in favor of Loras, this time on a solo block on Dominican's George Kougan. Despite going on three more multi-point runs, the Stars again prevailed in the second set.

The Duhawks kickstarted the third set scoring back to back points at the hands of heavy-handed Patrick Mahoney, with the first point coming off of a kill followed by a solo block on the Stars' Mat Molloy. Back to back service errors added points for both sides to give the Duhawks an early 3-1 lead. Dominican quickly responded by scoring three straight to take a one point lead, but a kill from Michael Dziewior put the Duhawks back even at 4-4. As was the story in the first, Loras stayed within mere points of Dominican, at one point scoring three in a row to come within one of tying the set at 13. The Stars pulled away late in the set, ending the match with a final score of 3-0. 

Fiorenza, a returning CCIW All-Conference selection, led the Duhawks offensively with six kills on the night, followed by Kratochvil who added five and Mahoney with four of his own. Three Duhawks recorded service aces in the match with David Beach, Joe Horn and Jacob Bonnett all posting one ace a piece. As well as adding to the point total offensively, Mahoney highlighted his defensive skills at the net recording three blocks. Kratochvil had a solid night defensively with Mahoney, blocking two.

Loras makes their return to the court on Friday, Feb. 19 in Kenosha, Wis. as they open CCIW play against No. 9 Carthage College.