Jan. 27, 2023 – After a strong opening weekend on the road, the (RV) Loras College men's volleyball team wasted no time in getting home win No. 1 out of the way as the Duhawks swept past Marian University 3-0 on Friday night.

The Duhawks (4-1) made easy work of the Sabres (3-3) at the Lillis Athletic and Wellness Center Friday, taking the sets 25-18, 25-16, and 25-18 while dominating most of the notable stat categories.

Loras controlled the first set wire-to-wire and were never in any real danger of falling behind after the first few points. The first and only real hiccup of the match came early in the second set as Marian showed signs of life out of the gates.

Three straight points for the Sabres to start the second frame saw Loras trail big for the first time in the match, but that deficit didn't last long as the Duhawks responded with a string of six straight points of their own to double up the Sabres in the blink of an eye.

Senior hitter Dorian Fiorenza was on the serve for five points of that 6-0 run that featured kills from senior Patrick Mahoney and sophomore Corey Mayotte. Mahoney and Mayotte were part of a balanced attack for the Duhawks and showcased why early in the second to get the team back on track.

Loras cruised through the rest of set two after that big run and carried that momentum into the final set. After trading points early with the Sabres, the Duhawks had stretches of 5-0 and 5-1 runs that helped them pull away for another 25-18 win to seal the deal on their first home win of 2023.

Mahoney led the Duhawks with nine kills as no player for either side reached double figures in that category. The senior led the balanced offensive attack that saw Mayotte and junior middle blocker Michael Dziewior each finish with eight kills.

Senior Joe Horn got the nod at setter and compiled 35 assists on the night while pitching in three digs. His 35 assists are the second most in a three-set match in his career (36 versus North Central College in 2021).

Loras' defense at the net was as polished as it has been so far this season as well as the Duhawks finished with eight total blocks behind a pair of block assists for each Mahoney, Dziewior, and junior hitter Tyler Kratochvil. Those eight blocks are the most in a three-set match for the Duhawks so far this season.

The Duhawks are back in action tomorrow, Saturday Jan. 28, against Fontbonne University at 3 P.M. Fontbonne and Marian will play a neutral site contest tomorrow at 12 P.M. at Lillis Court.