ADRIAN, Mich. - At the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center, the Adrian men's volleyball team sent its 2022 senior class off in style, turning in a three-set sweep of Wabash College in the Bulldogs' regular-season finale.
Lance Berry,
Darren Castello,
Peyton Doelling,
Tedrick Gula,
Brandon Ravelo and
Jake Witt all suited up for the black and gold one last time, helping the 'Dogs to their second sweep in three matches.
Ravelo led all setters on the day with 34 assists, 10 digs and three service aces, Gula finished second on the team will 11 successful attacks, Witt and Doelling contributed six kills each plus five combined block assists, Berry chipped in two service aces, and Castello rounded out the Senior Six with two kills.
"I am happy to come out with a win, but I happier that all my seniors were able to start and contribute in today's match," expressed head coach
Jose Soto.
As a team, Adrian put forth their fourth-best hitting performance of the season at 27.3 percent, courtesy of 40 total kills and a season-low 13 attack errors.
Furthermore, the Bulldogs were highly efficient from the service line, producing nine aces to the Little Giants' one.
Saturday morning's action was back-and-forth right from the opening serve, with the first set even exceeding the typical limit of 25 points. In this case, it was Adrian breaking that threshold, doing so just enough to take the first frame, 27-25.
Wabash did lead 22-19 at one point late in the set, but back-to-back miscues by the visitors sparked a four-point swing for the Bulldogs to push them ahead, 23-22. The Giants stayed on Adrian's tail, nevertheless, forcing a 25-25 tie. It is at that point where
Chase Heuer took over with consecutive kills to seal the set.
The competition was even more neck-and-neck in the middle set, all the way down to the latter moments. Tied at 16-16, however, Adrian ignited another four-point run behind a combination of kills by
Tedrick Gula,
Branden Gula and Heuer, and held off a late comeback attempt to move in front two sets to none.
In the third frame, Wabash managed to work itself ahead 15-11, then a 10-2 stretch by the home side quickly shifted the momentum. Witt and Berry were key pieces of the Bulldogs' run, including two aces from Berry and a pair of kills by Witt.
The turning of the tables in the third set was enough for Adrian to carry to the finish line, as it completed the sweep with a 25-19 set-victory.
Heuer finished the day with a team-high 12 kills, while the Senior Six combined for 29 digs, 25 kills, 34 assists, seven service aces, nine block assists, and 38.5 of Adrian's 55 total points.
"I want to thank all of the seniors for coming in and competing this year, especially as a first-year head coach" added Soto. "They are a great group of guys!"
