DAVENPORT, Iowa. - In the first round of pool play at the NAIA National Invitational, the Spartan men's volleyball team defeated Hope International in four sets, for the 3-1 win.
It was an evenly matched first set, as both teams were looking to start off on the right foot. The Spartans grabbed a 21-19 lead, after a kill by Robert Esser. The Royals battled back tying the score up at 21-21, but it was Missouri Baptist who took the final four points capped off by an Esser service ace for the 25-21 win.
In set two, Hope International held a lead early and often. The Spartans tied the game up at 14-14, but the Royals went on a 0-6 run slowing down Missouri Baptist. The Royals went on to cruise to the 19-25 victory, tying the match up at 1-1. In the set, the Spartans committed 13 errors and having just nine kills.
The third set was the most exciting one of the match. Again, both teams constantly went back and forth matching each other point for point. Neither team had a bigger lead of more than one, after the score was tied at 13-13. The Royals were up 23-24, looking to grab a one game advantage, but a service error by Griffin Levinski gave the Spartans new life.
Hope international had two more chances to put down Missouri Baptist, but a kill by Jonathan Roldan and another error by the Royals, tied the game up at 26-26. Jordan Pinto gave the team a 27-26 advantage, after a nice service ace. The Royals, however, tied it up at 27-27. The Spartans didn't let the pressure of the Royals bother them, as Sam Platt and Zach Zeris closed out the set with outstanding kills, giving the team a 29-27 win and a 2-1 game advantage. Platt had a great game offensively, totaling nine kills and .467 hitting percentage.
It was all Missouri Baptist in the fourth set, as the team didn't feel threatened until Hope International tied the game up at 21-21. The Spartans closed out the match on a 4-0 run, with Roldan ending the game with a kill for the 25-21 set and match win. In the final set, the Spartans had 13 kills while committing just two errors.
Cintron was a force all game on the outside for the Spartans. The Delray Beach, Fla., native had a game high 17 kills. Roldan was just as dominate, adding 13 kills and a team high nine digs. Robert Esser was key for the success of the offense, adding 46 assists.
The team is now 1-0 in pool play and is back in action tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. against Park University.
