FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA - The men's volleyball team hosted Erskine College on Tuesday night. The Lions captured the match, 3-1, moving their record to 13-12 overall and 7-6 in league play. The match had important seeding implications as the playoffs approach, and this win guarantees a first round bye. 

First set:

The opener was back and forth until the score was locked at 14. Then, a 5-1 run for the Lions gave them an advantage they never relinquished. Erskine got back within a point, 18-19, but another Emmanuel run gave them the first set by four points, 25-21. Freshman Gustavo Cavalcanti recorded five kills in five swings in the frame. 

Second set:

The Lions led early and often in the second, quickly jumping out to a 10-5 lead. The advantage continued to build for the Lions as they soon led by double digits, 21-10. The Fleet pieced together an 8-1 run, temporarily keeping their hopes alive in the set. However, the Lions still went on to capture the set by six points, 25-19. Emmanuel hit .314 in the second, their best mark of the night. 

Third set:

Erskine jumped out to a 12-6 lead early in the third. However, a 7-1 run for Emmanuel tied things up at 13. But Erskine took off once more and eventually claimed the set by half a dozen, 25-19 to extend the match to a fourth. 

Fourth set:

The fourth set was tied at five before the 17th kill of the night for freshman Gustavo Cavalcanti was followed with an ace from junior Henrik Westhoff. This propelled the Lions into a 12-3 run as they began to control the pace. Another kill from Cavalcanti soon after put the Lions up by ten, 20-10. Emmanuel committed some late errors, but ultimately still took the set by seven points, 25-18.

Leaders:

Gustavo Cavalcanti wound up with 20 kills, hitting .343 on the evening while adding a dig and an ace. Sophomore Eli Zdonek finished with 13 kills, 7 digs, and a block. Sophomore Carlos Guerrero was also in double digits and nearly recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 9 digs. He also had 5 blocks. Junior Harrison Coehlo recorded 4 blocks and 3 kills. Sophomore libero Nickolas Eichenberger led the team in digs with 19. Setter Henrik Westhoff finished with 43 assists, an ace and a kill. 

Next up, men's volleyball will head to Gaffney, SC to face Limestone College on Thursday, April 7 at 7:00pm. 

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