BEREA, Ohio - Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball continued the positive momentum built from last weekend's sweep, defeating Wittenberg University 3-1 (25-15, 25-12, 22-25, 25-21) in the opening match and rallying to defeat the Tigers after falling behind 0-2, to win 3-2 (15-25, 22-25, 25-13, 25-15, 15-13)

Freshman Nick Irelan (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) turned in another elite performance, tallying 17 kills and a .434 hitting percentage in the first match and 12 kills and a .219 hitting percentage in the second match to lead the way with 29 kills for the Yellow Jackets. Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby) tallied 22 kills and a double-double in the second match, while Brandon Long (Hinckley/Metea Valley [Ind.]) recorded a double-double in the second match to supplant the Yellow Jackets offense.

Keeping pace with the previous weekend against Olivet (Mich.) College, the Yellow Jackets came out aggressively in the opening match. The Yellow Jackets started the first set on an 8-2 run, with Don Travis (Reynoldsburg) looming large, recording a kill and a block in the opening stretch. While Wittenberg was able to cut the lead to four at 14-10, the Yellow Jackets put their foot on the gas and took the opening set 25-15 behind multiple kills from Beard in the final four points.

Wittenberg delivered a strong response in the second set, taking an 8-7 lead at one point, before the Yellow Jackets woke up. A remarkable program high 16-0 run by the Yellow Jackets helped take the second set 25-12. Irelan turned in a dominant run individually, tallying six kills and a block in eight points.

Wittenberg had an answer in the third set, taking it 25-22. The Yellow Jackets and Tigers traded points for much of the set, but BW held the lead just once. However, the Yellow Jackets put aside any doubts and took the decisive fourth set 25-21. Beard delivered late kills to get in double figures with 11 in the match.

The Tigers got off to a fast start in the second match, jumping out to a 17-9 lead and didn't look back, taking the first set 25-15. Irelan played a key role in the offense, but the Yellow Jackets were not able to match a motivated Tigers squad.

Facing a deep hill to climb back from, the Yellow Jackets faced another hole in the second set, falling down 21-14. Kãmau Maka'ike (Hilo, Hawaii/Kamehameha Schools) notched three kills in an 8-3 run to get it within two, but Wittenberg closed it out for the 25-22 second set victory.

BW attempted a comeback in the third, rolling to a 25-13 third set. The Yellow Jackets built a 21-10 lead early, featuring a 13-4 run that saw Beard tally three kills. A strong serve by Maka'ike forced an error by Wittenberg and helped seal the set victory for the Yellow Jackets.

Riding a wave of momentum from the third set, the Yellow Jackets started the fourth on an 8-1 run. The Tigers cut the deceit to three points, but that was as close as they were able to get. Beard and the Yellow Jackets rode out the rest of the set on a 14-7 tear to tie the match at 2-2.

Another huge run by the Yellow Jackets gave them an early 8-3 lead. The Tigers shaved the deficit to 11-10, but the Yellow Jackets never relinquished lead from there, talking the fifth set 15-13. Maka'ike delivered the final of his career-high 14 kills to secure the victory for the Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets will return home on Sunday, February 21 for a doubleheader against Wabash (Ind.) College. The Jackets will get started at 5:00 p.m. and play the finale at 7:00 p.m.