Victory over Warriors Makes Four-in-a-Row for the Eutectics

ST. LOUIS, MO. – On Thursday night, the Eutectic men's volleyball team hosted a non-conference match with the Indiana Tech Warriors (7-8), earning a 3-1 victory (25-17, 23-25, 25-17, 25-20) to extend the UHSP win streak to four. It was the first time in program history that the Eutectics had faced the Warriors, who have gained some recognition this year and were receiving votes for national rankings. The win follows three home victories by the Eutectics, including a five-set upset of No. 7-ranked Mount Mercy University (14-3).  

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:

• While the Warriors attempted 10 more attacks than the Eutectics in the match, the Purple and Gold's scrappy defense, led by 19 digs from libero Xavier Gamayo, tallied 10 more digs for the home team. In addition, the UHSP offense kept its attacking percentage above .200 as they have for the past four matches, finishing with 22.5% on the night, while holding the Warriors to 11.5%.
• After a 5-5 tie in the first set, the Eutectics gradually pulled away, going up 14-9 as the IT defenders could not stop the Eutectic assault. The Warriors went on a four-point scoring run to come within two points at 18-16, but a Cooper Hansen kill (assisted by RJ Dilks) broke the streak and the Eutectics finished off the set with a Cameron Werner kill at 25-17.
• The UHSP team held the lead for most of Set 2, but, at 23-18, the Warriors strung together seven points in a row, including three kills, an ace, a block, and two UHSP attacking errors, to snag the set away at 25-23 and even the match score at 1-1.
• In Set 3, the two teams battled for the lead until at 10-10, two kills from Cameron Werner (set by Dilks) and an error from the Warriors gave the Euts a lead of 13-10. From there, the Purple and Gold would not surrender the lead, finishing off the set with an 8-2 scoring run, punctuated by a kill from Xander Quenzer (assisted by Dilks) for the 25-17 win.
• Up 2-1 in sets, the Eutectics fell behind early, but quickly earned an 8-5 lead after earning five points in a row. The Warriors would tie it up at 12, 14, and 15, but the Eutectics would go up 22-20 and win the next three points of the match as an ace from David Quinones claimed the final point for the Eutectic win at 25-20.    
• Four Eutectics hit double figures for kills in the match: Grant Hoover (17), Dickson Colado (12), Cooper Hanson (12), and Cameron Werner (10). Hoover notched a double double on the night with 12 digs. Werner earned his 10 kills on 18 attempts for 50% attacking. Colado led the team in service aces with three.
• Setter RJ Dilks hit 50 assists in the match. Xander Quenzer was a part of five Eutectic blocks. 

NEXT UP:

With the win, the Eutectic season record improves to 7-10 and remains at 4-7 for the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HEART). This Saturday, Mar. 15, the Euts will look to continue their win-streak as they travel to Salina, Kan., for a tri-match hosted by Kansas Wesleyan University (7-8, 3-5 HEART). At 11 a.m., the UHSP team will take on the hosts for a Conference matchup, then return to the court at 2 p.m. for a non-conference match with Central Christian College (Kan.)(0-10).