CHICAGO, Ill. – The Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball team faced Wisconsin Lutheran College and Illinois Institute of Technology for a non-conference tri-match hosted by Illinois Tech inside the Keating Sports Center. The Yellow Jackets (18-6 overall, 1-0 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League) defeated both teams in straight sets.
Match 1 vs Wisconsin Lutheran (4-14): 25-15, 25-18, 25-20
BW was led by junior All-MCVL outside hitter Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby) as he notched 15 kills on one error, hitting .500 and added five total blocks and three digs. Sophomore outside hitter Marquis Kelly (Surprise, Ariz./Willow Canyon) totaled a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs and added three service aces. Sophomore setter Evan Herbst (Hamburg, N.Y.) dished out 34 assists.
The Yellow Jackets held just an 8-7 advantage in set one until they sparked an 11-3 scoring up to go up 19-10. BW finished the first set on another short run, scoring the Warriors 6-3 to send set one, 25-15. The Yellow Jackets again got the jump on Wisconsin Luthern in set two, going up 17-13. Despite the Warriors going on a short run to keep the gap at four points late in the set, BW scored three straight points to win set two 25-18. Up just one point in set three (12-11), BW went on a 6-0 run to go up 18-11 and gain control of the set. BW went on to win set three (25-20) and the match (3-0).
Match 2 vs Illinois Tech (7-11): 25-22, 26-24, 26-24
BW was led by Beard as he posted 11 kills, six digs, and a block. Sophomore outside hitter Michael Devlin (Zelienople, Pa./Seneca Valley) also totaled 11 kills and added two blocks, two aces, and three digs. Junior setter Brandon Long (Hinckley/Metea Valley, Ill.) dished out 32 assists and added a match-high nine digs.
The Yellow Jackets and Scarlet Hawks were point-for-point the whole match. Down one, BW got the two point advantage late in set one, forcing the home team to a timeout. Out of the break, the Yellow Jackets outscored the Scarlet Hawks 4-1 with two kills from Beard and a kill from junior right side hitter Nick Mazzone (Springboro/Bishop Fenwick) to grab the 24-20 lead. BW closed out set one 25-22. Again down one in the second, BW rattled off two points to earn the advantage at 24-23, forcing IIT to a timeout. Despite the Scarlet Hawks tying the game, BW notched two more to close set two 26-24. With the game tied 23-23 in set three, an ace by freshman middle hitter Colby Whiteside (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) earned BW the late lead. Despite IIT tying the game, a kill by Devlin and an ace by Kelly closed the set (26-24) and the match (3-0).
BW returns to the court on Friday, March 17 when the team hosts Mount St. Joseph University for an MCVL matchup. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. in the Ursprung Gymnasium inside of the Lou Higgins Center.
