ADRIAN, Mich. – Beck Fieldhouse had a team high nine kills and Andrew Gawrisch supplied a game high 25 assists as the Adrian College men's volleyball team defeated Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College three sets to none Tuesday evening. With the win, the Bulldogs are off to a program first 5-1 start in the young 2023 season.
Tonight, the men's volleyball team began the match with an energetic start and doubled up the Pomeroys 10-5 in the first set. The Pomeroys managed to subdue Adrian's fast start to a two point lead after responding with a 5-2 run of their own. The Bulldogs countered and would go on to outscore Saint Mary-of-the-Woods 13-8 to close the first set. Fieldhouse, Zach Molnar, and Gawrisch would all record kills during the run to capture the 1-0 set lead for the Bulldogs.
In the second set the Bulldogs would never trail, as they doubled up the Pomeroys 25-12.
"Especially in sets one and two, we took care of business," said head coach Jose Soto, "We passed very well and we were very efficient attacking especially in set two".
After a service error by Adrian to bring the Pomeroys within two points at 5-3, the Bulldogs would record an emphatic 11-2 run to take control of the set. Branden Gula was able to improve the Bulldogs lead with a kill to put the Bulldogs ahead 16-5. Adrian would comfortably win the set. After two kills from junior Jalen Adams and one from Fieldhouse, the Bulldogs would conclude the second set with a 25-12 victory.
"There's always going to be little things we can take care of," said coach Soto. The Bulldogs had not trailed at any point of the game until Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College scored a point off of an Adrian attacking error in the third set to put the Pomeroys ahead by one with the score 14-13. The Bulldogs responded to the run, just like they have in many of their prior matches to begin the season. The men's volleyball team would close out the game on a 12-9 advantage after their one point deficit midway through the set.
"Those were extreme highs for us, if we can carry them on into the rest of the season I think we are going to look really, really good," said Soto.
The Bulldogs dominated the Pomeroys in every major statistical category tonight, outside of blocks, which the Pomeroys bested Adrian 4-2 this evening.
"We dominated quite well and took care of business, but there's a lot of room for growth, improvement, and a lot of things we can learn from this game," said coach Soto.
Top Dawgs
Fieldhouse had a team high nine kills for the Bulldogs and a game high of three aces. Gawrisch led all players with 25 assists and eight digs this evening. Additionally, Gula recorded a game high two blocks tonight.
Historical Notes
Tonight marked the first ever match between the two programs. Additionally, for the first time in program history, the men's volleyball team is off to its first ever 5-1 start.
Looking Ahead
The men's volleyball team will conclude the week against the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) on the road on Friday, February 3, at 6:00 PM. Live Stats and live stream information for the game is available under the men's volleyball schedule.
