FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - The men's volleyball team hosted Tusculum University on Tuesday night. The Lions fell to the Pioneers, 2-3, moving Emmanuel's record to 5-5 on the season.
The first set, much like the remainder of the match, was a seesaw of momentum swings as the teams traded runs. It was Emmanuel who pulled away initially, gaining a 19-14 advantage throughout the set. However, four service aces in five serves for the Pioneers led to an eight point run that quickly put them on top, 23-19. But the Lions finally responded as a pair of kills by sophomore Eli Zdonek were followed with one by sophomore Carlos Guerrero. Four of Emmanuel's next five points came from freshman Gustavo Cavalcanti as the Lions went on the win the set, 27-25.
Neither team led by more than two points in the second set. The Lions hit an impressive .406, recording 17 kills to only 4 errors. However, service errors were costly as they prevented the Lions from putting together any significant runs. Ultimately it was the Pioneers who would flip the first set score in their favor, taking the second set 27-25.
The third set was Emmanuel's poorest offensively as they hit .031. The Pioneers were able to capitalize, taking it by five points, 25-20. Tusculum then carried their momentum into the fourth set, scoring the first four points. However, with freshman Viktor Berg serving, Emmanuel went on a seven point run. Zdonek and Cavalcanti each recorded two kills during the stretch, while freshman Daniel Beachum added another. The Lions rode the momentum from the explosive rally until the end of the set, never trailing again as they claimed it by three points, 25-22.
With the teams having two sets a piece, a tiebreaker was needed to settle the score. Emmanuel led 6-5 early on, but Tusculum proceeded to score five straight, pulling into a lead the Lions couldn't catch. Trailing 14-8, Emmanuel put up four straight scores, the last coming off an ace by Berg. But a final kill for the Pioneers ended Emmanuel's comeback chances as Tusculum took the set, 15-12, and the match, 3-2.
Gustavo Cavalcanti finished with a career high 22 kills, adding 9 digs, a block and an ace. Eli Zdonek followed with a career high and double-double, recording 20 kills and 10 digs. Junior Henrik Westhoff posted 55 assists, while sophomore Nicklas Eichenberger had 15 digs.
Next up, men's volleyball will host Belmont Abbey on Saturday, February 26 at 2:00pm.
For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.
