Eutectics Remain Undefeated after Victory in Kansas

OTTAWA, KAN. - The Eutectic men's volleyball team took their undefeated show on the road on Friday afternoon, braving the snowy roads to travel to Ottawa, Kan., for a late-start match against the Ottawa University Braves. The UHSP team had already defeated the Braves (1-8) in straight sets in their previous matchup in St. Louis two weeks ago, and this re-match was no different. The Eutectics finished off the Braves 25-12, 25-23, 25-18 to continue their historic 7-0 start to the season.  

The first set started out close with five tie scores until outside hitter Dickson Colado served up three straight points, including two aces, to pull UHSP out to a lead they would not relinquish. Back-to-back kills set up by setter Cole Cwiklowski for outside hitter Connor Behymer put the Euts up 15-10. Then, Behymer would serve up three more points for the Eutectics off kills from outsider hitter Grant Hoover and middle hitter Cameron Werner and an Ottawa error to make it 19-11. Libero Xavier Gamayo served out the set for the Eutectics with the final point earned off a block from Marcus Parker and Grant Hoover for the 25-12 set victory.

The second set was a come-from-behind victory for the Eutectics, who fell behind early at 8-3. UHSP earned another three points from Colado's serve, including a service ace and two kills from Hoover to get the Euts within striking distance at 9-7. But, the Eutectics trailed by two or three points for much of the set, trying to play catchup with the Braves until another service ace from Colado tied the set at 22 apiece. Ottawa snuck in a kill by Grant Younie to take a 23-22 lead, but Cwiklowski set up Hoover and Marcus Parker (twice) for the final three points of the set to scrape by with the 25-23 set win and head into the final set up 2-0.

The third set was much of the same, with the teams trading the lead and several ties to start. After a Braves service error tied the score at 14, Colado, again, stepped up to the service line and delivered, serving up four points for the Eutectics, including an ace and another double block by Hoover and Parker. This time, it was the Braves doing the chasing, as the Eutectics maintained the lead through to the end. Parker served up the final three points for the Eutectics' 25-18 third-set victory finalized by a kill from Colado assisted by Cwiklowski.  

Led by Grant Hoover's 18 kills and five blocks, Xavier Gamayo's 17 digs, and Cole Cwiklowski's 35 assists, the Eutectics hit at 28.9% while holding the Braves to 6.1%. Guy Colado racked up five service aces as Marcus Parker converted on five of seven attacks for a whopping 71.4% hitting average.

The Eutectics look to continue their undefeated start to the season as they head over the Salina, Kan., on Saturday for a tri-match with Central Christian College (Kan.) and host Kansas Wesleyan University.