MEN’S VOLLEYBALL SHOWS IMPROVEMENT WITH TWO HARD-FOUGHT LOSSES

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Avila men's volleyball showed major signs of growth in two games at Mabee Fieldhouse on Friday afternoon, losing to Hastings and St. Mary-of-the-Woods, both 3-0.

In the first match against Hastings, Avila dropped the opening five points before gathering its bearings. After trading points back-and-forth, Hastings ended the first set on a 9-3 run and took the first, 25-12.

The second frame was much better for the Eagles, playing tight with the Broncos throughout the set.

Avila held a 15-14 lead and the set was tied at 17-17 before Hastings once again ended on another big run, this time 8-3, to take the second, 25-20.

The Broncos would go on to take the third, 25-12.

Alan Uncal-Ramirez finished with 11 assists, while Sebastian Williams (six) and Rylan Murphy (five) led the Eagle offense in kills.

Avila took on St. Mary-of-the-Woods three hours later and put up quite the fight in a pair of solid sets.

The Pomeroys dominated the first, 25-12, before Avila came to play in the final two.

Holding a late 13-12 lead off a kill from Murphy, SMWC would then go on a 5-0 run to force an Avila timeout.

The Pomeroys ended the middle frame on a 13-4 run to go up 2-0.

The third set saw Avila keep pace with SMWC never trailing by more than four in the opening 36 points.

As was the case in both matches, a run put the Eagles away.

Avila trailed 19-15 late in the third and the Pomeroys used a 5-0 run to take the set, 25-18.

Uncal-Ramirez notched a career-high 22 assists against SMWC. Sebastian Williams tied a career-best with nine kills. Darren Zheng's nine digs also tied a career-high for the freshman. 

The Eagles are back in action next Friday, traveling to Graceland for a 7 PM match on Feb. 20.

 (photo credit: Ali Nassir)