TRAVELERS REST, SC - The Emmanuel men's volleyball team faced North Greenville on the road on Wednesday night. The Lions fell to the Crusaders in four sets, 1-3, moving their record to 6-6 overall and 2-3 in league play. 

Set 1:
The Crusaders led early and often in set one. They hit an impressive .480 at the net to take the opener by eight points, 25-17. 

Set 2:
Emmanuel began to turn it around in this set, matching the Crusaders in kills (12) and outpacing them in blocks and aces, 4-3 and 2-1. However, service errors were costly, keeping the Lions from making the late run they needed to win the set. Ultimately the Crusaders took it, 25-22. 

Set 3:
The Crusaders led 17-15 late in the third. However, a pair of kills by sophomore Eli Zdonek was followed with an ace by freshman Gustavo Cavalcanti, putting Emmanuel ahead by one. The teams proceeded to trade points as Zdonek recorded back-to-back kills once again. Then, leading 23-22, kills from freshman Daniel Beachum and sophomore Carlos Guerrero gave the Lions the set, 25-23. 

Set 4:
The Lions hit to their most efficient clip of the night in the fourth set, .355. Trailing 12-16, the Lions rallied to tie the score. However, NGU was still first to get to set point, 24-22. A kill from sophomore Jayden Young and ace by Guerrero extended the match. The Lions then tied the score at 25 when Zdonek put down his 19th kill of the night. However, the Crusaders scored twice more to take the set, 27-25 and the match, 3-1. 

The Lions were led by Eli Zdonek, who finished with 19 kills, 4 digs, and an ace. Gustavo Cavalcanti followed with 12 kills, 6 digs, and 2 aces. Junior setter Henrik Westhoff dished out 44 assists, while libero Nicklas Eichenberger led the way in digs with 11. 

Next up, men's volleyball will head north to the Windy City to face Lewis on Friday and Loyola-Chicago on Saturday. First serve Friday is slated for 7:00pm. 

For more on Emmanuel College athletics, visit goeclions.com.