Photo by Jean St. Fleur
McPherson, Kan. – The Central Christian College men's volleyball team hosted their first ever "classic" beginning on Wednesday. Six other teams besides the Tigers participated in the extravaganza from four different states.
The Tigers opened the festivities against the Ottawa University Braves in the 11:30 am match. The Braves came out on fire, and handed the Tigers a straight sets loss, 25-9, 25-10, 25-9.
By the Numbers
Against the Braves, the Tigers hit -.155 with 15 kills on 71 swings with 26 errors.
They assisted on all 15 of their kills.
Defensively, they were credited with 18 digs and 3 blocks.
Tiger Leaders
Kills:
Kolby Campbell (5)
Digs:
Micah Avendano,
L.A. DeBerry,
Kolby Campbell (4)
Assists:
L.A. DeBerry (11)
Aces:
Micah Avendano,
L.A. DeBerry,
Joel Creary (1)
Blocks:
Elijah Kephart (1)
In the night cap, the Tigers took on the Simpson College Storm, a NCAA DII school out of Iowa. The Tigers picked up the
program's first win, defeating the Storm in straight sets 25-21, 25-23, 29-27.
The Storm won the first point of the opening set, but then the Tigers took over and led the rest of the way. They led by as many as eight points before the Storm rallied and cut into the deficit. The Tigers regrouped and were able to hang on for a 25-21 win.
In the second set, it was the reverse. The Storm led for the majority of the set, leading by as many as eight points in the middle of the set. The Tigers rallied and began chipping away at the deficit. Late in the set, they trailed the Storm 18-16 but then closed out the set on a 9-5 run to win 25-23.
The final set was a back and forth affair with neither team able to separate themselves until late. The Storm led 21-18 and looked like they might stave off elimination and force a fourth set. The Tigers won four of the next five points to tie the set at 22. The set went in to extras where the Tigers had match points at 26-25, 27-26, and 28-27. Finally on their third attempt, they were able to secure their first victory in two years, closing out the match with a 29-27 win in set three.
By the Numbers
Against the Storm, the Tigers hit .135 with 34 kills on 104 swings with 20 errors.
They assisted on 31 of their 34 kills.
Defensively, they were credited with 42 digs and three block.
Two Tigers recorded double digit kills
Kolby Campbell and
Joel Creary both set a new career high in kills with 14, and
L.A. DeBerry had a career high 30 assists.
Tiger Leaders
Kills:
Kolby Campbell,
Joel Creary (14)
Digs: Kolby Campell (16)
Assists:
L.A. DeBerry (30)
Aces:
Joel Creary (2)
Blocks:
Joel Creary (2)
Coach Quote: "This was a good way to get the first win in program history. Our guys played hard sure but more importantly to me they didn't quit. They worked together, executed their training, and committed to accomplishing the goal together. Saw some great performances and contributions from everyone! I'm very proud of the boys and look forward to more accomplishments from this group!" – Coach Rick Hughes
Next Up
The Tigers are back in action on Thursday, wrapping up the classic with a 2:00 pm match against Mount Mercy University and then Cumberlands University at 7:00 pm.
