SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (Jan. 17) -- The Thiel College Men's Volleyball team concluded its opening weekend tournament at the Jim Coleman Memorial Invitational with a four-set loss to hosts RV Wittenberg University Saturday afternoon at Pam Evans Smith Arena.
The Tigers, who are receiving votes in the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Poll, rise to 3-0 with set score wins of 22-25, 25-21, 25-20 and 25-19 while the Tomcats dip to 2-2.
Thiel used a 3-1 run in set one started on a
Kaleb Proudfoot (Butler, Pa./Butler) kill to draw even at 16. After seven combined sideouts, the Tomcats went on a 5-0 run that started and ended with Proudfoot kills to lead 24-20. The Tigers saved a pair of set points before one more Proudfoot kill gave Thiel the opening frame.
Proudfoot posted a match-high-tying 12 kills on 20 swings to hit .550, which is tied for ninth-best in a four-set match in team history. Proudfoot added a match-best six blocks (1 BS, 5 BA).
The Blue and Gold tallied 4-of-5 in set two to get within 1 at 19-18.
Will Zimmerman (Cranberry, Pa./Seneca Valley) had a pair of kills in the run. Wittenberg answered with 3-of-4 before back-to-back Thiel points, both of which coming from
Ezra Oesterling (Shelocta, Pa./West Shamokin), made it 22-21. The home side notched the last 3 to even the match at 1.
Zimmerman logged seven kills and a match-best four aces to go with three digs. Oesterling was limited to just five kills and .000 hitting as the Tigers held him in check. Oesterling added a pair of aces and a team-leading six digs.
Set three was even at 16 before a 5-0 Tigers run made it 21-16. Thiel answered with three straight as
Rex Dugan (Covington, Wash./Tahoma) smacked a kill and
Ben Lowell (Portland, Ore./Sunset) had back-to-back aces to make it 21-19. Wittenberg ended the frame with 4-of-5 to go ahead 2-1.
Lowell distributed 14 assists and served three aces to go with four digs. Dugan added a trio of digs blocks each.
Thiel opened set four up 5-1 before Wittenberg answered with 5 in a row to lead 6-5. Thiel used a 4-1 spurt to get back within 2 at 18-16 on a Proudfoot kill from
Eli Olszowka (Erie, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep). The home side closed the match with 5-of-6 for the win.
Olszowka distributed a team-best 18 assists and added one ace.
Thiel logged 11 aces, which is tied for third-most in a four-set match in team history. The Tomcats were held to .105 hitting while the Tigers sat at.260.
The Blue and Gold return to action next weekend for a trio of matches at Misericordia's Cougar Kickoff Classic. The Tomcats will battle Misericordia Friday at 5 p.m. before taking on Elmira (11 a.m.) and Messiah (1 p.m.) on Saturday.
