FIRST VICTORY FOR MEN’S VOLLEYBALL IN LENGTHY WIN OVER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A huge stepping stone for Avila men's volleyball came on Saturday as the Eagles picked up their first win in the rebirth of the young program. Hosting a tri at Mabee Fieldhouse, Avila lost in three to UHSP before taking down Central Christian in five sets for the program's first win of 2026.

Against UHSP, Avila played strong throughout, losing close in all three sets, 25-17, 25-19, 25-22.

Avila led for the early portion of the second and third sets against the Eutectics before falling.

The second game was where Avila played its best – and longest – game of the season.

For nearly the entirety of the first set, neither squad trailed by more than two before Central Christian ended the opener on a 4-1 run to take the first set, 25-20.

Avila got the second set started off got again, leading 6-1 early and would not trail for the remainder, leading by as many as six before taking it, 25-19.

The third set was another tight one for the two schools in the infancy of their men's volleyball programs.

More than 10 ties and 10 lead changes occurred in the third set as, once again, neither team led by more than three at any point.

Central Christian wrapped up the third set on a 5-1 run to take it, 25-22 and go up 2-1 in the match.

Looking at another loss, Avila came back in the fourth, leading – and dominating – for the duration of the fourth frame.

Avila led by as much as 10 at two times throughout the set and forced a fifth, winning 25-16.

Both teams could not have played closer in the fifth set.

Nearing the victory, Avila led 13-9. Central Christian needed to win at least four-consecutive to stay in the game, which is exactly what they did.

The Tigers took five-straight points and had match point before Avila took control once again.

The Eagles broke set-point, forcing back-to-back attack errors to earn match point of their own.

Each squad alternated points for the next five plays before a kill by Sebastian Rodriguez and an attack error by Central Christian gave Avila its first victory of the season in its best game of the season.

"The hard work that they put in to get this first win, the hope was finally there today," said head coach Mekenna Clugston. "They caught that and rode it out. For them to finally feel that and learn how to win, it's only up from here. They changed a lot today."

Sebastian Rodriguez was instrumental in the victory, picking up a double-double with 12 digs and 17 kills. Darren Zheng with 17 and Lucas Strezo with 12 joined Rodriguez in the double-figure category, while Alan Uncal-Ramirez (31) and Chase Kreitzer (18) had double-digit assets. Sebastian Williams with 15 and Rylan Murphy with 14 also chipped in with double-figure kills.

In the home stretch of the season, these two teams will meet again on Friday from Mabee Fieldhouse at 6 PM.