WILSON, NC – The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball team traveled to Wilson, NC tonight to take on Barton College in Conference Carolinas play. The Lions got off to a fast start, winning the first two sets, 25-20, 25-20 before dropping the next two to the Bulldogs, 26-24, 26-24 and losing the fifth set 15-8
 
In set one, Emmanuel jumped out to an early 7-3 lead and would control the pace of the set. Barton would get within three points late in the set, 20-17, but the Lions would close out the set on a 5-3 run to take it, 25-20. The Lions had 14 kills in set one.
 
The second set saw several ties and lead changes early. The Lions took the lead for good at 8-7 on a service ace by Abdallah Roshdy. Although the Bulldogs would make it interesting at several points in the set, a kill by Aidan Feeny would put the Lions up 18-14 and they finish the set strong to win, 25-20.
 
In the third set, the Bulldogs bounced back. It started off like the first two, with the Lions leading early. Emmanuel would lead 24-17 before the Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run to take the set in extra points, 26-24.  
 
The fourth set was close from the start, with several ties and lead changes. Emmanuel would break away to get up 22-19, but the Bulldogs would go on a 7-2 run to close out the set, 26-24, forcing a fifth set.
 
The final set was back and forth, with the teams trading points. The Lions would get up by two, 7-5 on a kill by Eli Zdonek but the Bulldogs would answer, going on a 6-0 run to take a 11-7 lead. Barton's offense continued to come up big, going on a 4-0 run to close out the set, 15-8 and take the match 3-2.
 
Overall, the Lions had 70 kills to Barton's 48. Emmanuel had 62 assists, 4 aces, 52 digs and 9 blocks on the night.
 
Eli Zdonek had a stellar 22 kills on the night, with Aidan Feeney contributing 19 and Greg Bodus adding 10. 
 
Abdallah Roshdy had an incredible 58 assists in the match and led the team with 2 service aces, with Bodus and Zdonek each adding 1. 
 
Bodus led the team with 3.5 blocks, with Lucas Nieves, Aidan Feeney, and Arturo Diaz-Dube each contributing 1.5.
 
Nicklas Eichenberger had 18 kills on the night, with Eli Zdonek adding 10.
 
With the loss, the Lions fall to 5-9 on the season, 2-3 in conference play.
 
Next up, the Lions will travel to Mount Olive, NC to take on the University of Mount Olive tomorrow at 2PM. 
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.