MEN’S VOLLEYBALL PLAYS IN FRONT OF HUGE CROWD FOR HOME OPENER

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hitting the Mabee Fieldhouse court for the first time in the new era of Avila men's volleyball, the Eagles continued to grow and had their tightest match of the young season, losing in three sets to Ottawa, 27-25, 25-17, 25-14.

Avila played its best set of the season in the opener against the Braves in front of a packed student section. Despite trailing for the majority of the set, Avila was never down by more than three.

Late in the frame, the Eagles tied it up at 21. A few plays later with Ottawa facing set point, a Braves service error tied the game at 24, forcing extras and raising the decibel level at Mabee.

Following an Ottawa attack error, the Braves called timeout with Avila holding onto set point. From there, the Braves ended the set on a 3-0 run to take the opener.

Set No. 2 saw the two teams play back-and-forth for the first 18 combined points. Tied at 9-9, Ottawa would go on a 7-0 run to take the momentum. Avila brought the score to within four, but was unable to mount a comeback as Ottawa won by eight in the second.

The third set once again had the Eagles and Braves open with back-and-forth scoring. Midway through the third frame, Ottawa went on a 5-0 run to put the Eagles away and eventually wrap up the 25-14 third frame.

With the support of a boisterous home crowd, Avila had some of its best individual and team play of the early season.

Matt Cook and Rylan Murphy tied for the team lead with eight kills each, while Alan Uncal-Ramirez notched 21 assists. 

The Eagles are back on the road on Friday, traveling to Mount Mercy. First serve is slated for 7 PM.

 (photo credit: Ixtla Banda)