The Lewis University men’s volleyball team closed out the regular season with two huge wins against Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association opponent Grand Canyon on back-to-back nights to clinch the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament. The Flyers finished with a 7-5 MIVA record and earned the right to host a first-round playoff game against Quincy.
On April 16, freshman Ian Karbiener continued his impressive first year posting 14 kills and 11 digs. Karbiener cranked out seven kills in the opening frame alone, as the Flyers cruised past Grand Canyon 30-28.
Karbiener was recognized for his instant impact on Apr. 22, as he was named the MIVA Freshman of the Year. Karbiener finished second on the team in kills (309), kills per set (3.43) and points per set (3.92). He led the team with 23 service aces.
Lewis used a seven-point run to polish off the Antelopes. Three blocks from when the Flyers’ headlined the run. Seniors Nathan Klaas and Craig Boller teamed up twice for blocks and Klaas also had a solo block. An intimidating Flyer defense also forced Grand Canyon into two attack errors.
Lewis leads the MIVA conference, averaging 3.42 blocks per game.
Karbiener and Klaas recorded the only two kills during the stretch.
The second set was the closest of the match, as the Antelopes climbed to within one point of the Flyers at 28-27 after scoring four straight points. Head coach Dan Friend asked for timeout and the team answered with a Karbiener kill out of the break. Klaas closed the set with a kill off of a pass from senior setter Mike Iandolo.
Grand Canyon was limited to a .079 attack rate in the third and final set of the match. Lewis forced eight Antelope errors on their way to a 30-26 third set victory.
Iandolo finished the night with 39 assists and eight digs.
Senior night was one to remember, as the Flyers swept Grand Canyon for a second consecutive night (30-15, 30-21, 30-24).
Grand Canyon had no answer for an amped-up Flyer team in the first set. They were able to tally only six kills in the opener and committed 11 attack errors as they were doubled on the scoreboard. All five Lewis seniors started the game for the Flyers. It was only fitting that Boller, Klaas, Iandolo and senior Andy Frontz each notched a kill early in the first frame Rikki Garma was the lone senior that did not record a kill–and for good reason—he is the staring libero. Garma recorded four digs in his final regular season game in Neil Carey Arena.
Iandolo and Frontz spearheaded the Flyer attack, dishing out 35 assists on the night. Boller was a force at the net, with eight kills and nine blocks and Klaas finished with seven kills and 12 digs.
Grand Canyon only held one lead past the fourth point in the entire match. Lewis improved to 18-9.
A win over Quincy on April 24 would advance the Flyers into a MIVA semifinal match on April 28. For the latest results visit lewisflyers.com.
The Lewis Flyer
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