No matter how often you hear it, there is no denying the fact that every team would like to play their best down the stretch. The Lewis University men’s volleyball team is doing just that, as they have emerged victorious in three of their last four matches despite suffering some key setbacks.
Injuries to seniors Mike Iandolo and Nathan Klaas and junior Matt Gallik forced the Flyers to juggle their lineup. Senior Andy Frontz filled the void left by Iandolo’s ankle injury, leading the team to three straight wins.
Quincy, George Mason and IPFW were all unable to take a set from the Flyers in Neil Carey Arena.
Junior Brian Mussenfecther, junior Aaron Flick and sophomore Chris Bicardi all saw an increase in playing time as well.
IPFW presented the Flyers with the most daunting task of the three.
With Lewis ahead 29-27 and serving for set-point, IPFW rallied off two straight points and forced head coach Dan Friend to ask for a timeout. The Flyers came out of the break well prepared and would prevail. Freshman Ian Karbiener soared for a kill and on the very next point he teamed up with Biscardi for a block, clinching the opener.
Lewis limited IPFW to a .200 attack percentage in the second set and cruised to a six-point win (30-24). The Flyers recorded three of their six blocks in set two.
The third set went in the Flyers’ favor as well. Trailing 29-28, Karbiener evened the score. He gave the Flyers the edge with his match-high 15th kill moments later, and an IPFW attack error ended the match.
Lewis turned in an efficient .391 attack percentage and totaled 31 digs. Frontz paced the Flyer attack with 46 assists. Mussenfechter and Flick both finished with 10 kills. Redshirt freshman Jay Petty turned in eight digs and four kills.
Ball State halted the Flyers three-game winning streak on April 6 in five sets (30-24, 31-29, 28-30, 23-30, 15-13). It was the squad’s first loss in five-set matches all season (5-1).
Lewis dominated the match at the net, out-blocking the Cardinals 26-to-10. The 26 blocks are a new rally scoring era mark. Ball State totaled 14 more kills than the Flyers and recorded seven more digs.
For Karbiener, it was his second consecutive match with 15 kills. Klaas returned to the lineup and had an instant impact with 13 kills and nine digs. Iandolo and Gallik also saw some action.
Lewis falls to 16-8 (5-4 MIVA) while Ball State is now 15-9 (6-4 MIVA).
Back-to-back conference home matches against Grand Canyon are all that remain for the Flyers before the MIVA tournament opens April 24.
The Lewis Flyer
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