The men’s volleyball team took their first loss of the season this past Saturday at the 2014 Pirate Invitational. Coming off of a win Friday night against Clarke University, the men came out strong for their second game of the tournament against the Culver-Stockton Wildcats. The Wildcats put up a good effort and the Pirates fell in three sets (25-19, 25-17, 25-19).
Defending strong at the net, Junior Middle Paul Bilanzic hit .500 and had six blocks. Helping lead the Pirates to victory, top stats came from Caio Souza, junior outside hitter, and Ramon Cora, freshman outside hitter, with eight kills each. Sophomore Pierre Tang-Taye kept the back row tight with 10 digs throughout the match. Senior setter Rob Cordero kept the Pirates going strong with 32 assists and five blocks.
In the final game of the tournament, the Pirates battled it out point for point against Grandview University. The Pirates lost the first two sets 26-24 and 25-23 but fought hard to take set number three from their opponent with a final score of 21-25.
Despite the best efforts from the team, a 25-20 loss ended the final fourth set. Cordero led the game with 30 assists, seven digs and five blocks. Freshman Daniel Artega led the men with 16 kills, followed closely by Souza with 10 kills.
The men’s volleyball team will head into the rest of their season with a 2-1 record. The men travel to Missouri Valley Friday, Jan. 24, where they will face Warner and Cardinal-Stritch. The next home match will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Breckon Sports Center against Hannibal LaGrange.