Franklin Springs, GA —It was Senior Day for the Emmanuel Lions Men's Volleyball team today with a conference match-up against Belmont Abbey. The Crusaders took the first set, 25-14, but the Lions responded to take set two, 25-23. The Crusaders answered back to take the next two sets, 25-10, 25-12. With the loss, the Lions fell to 4-22 on the season, 2-11 in conference action.

The Crusaders took a 7-2 lead early in the first set. The Lions responded with kills by Thijs Van der Wal to make it 7-4, Crusaders. A 3-0 lead gave Belmont Abbey an 11-5 lead, but kills by Noah Langelier and Carlos Guerrero made it 15-10. Belmont Abbey closed out the set strong to win it, 25-14. 

The Lions answered the bell in the 2nd set. Belmont Abbey jumped out to an 8-5 lead. A 3-0 run including an ace by Van der Wal gave the Lions a 10-9 lead. A 4-0 run by Belmont Abbey made it 14-11, but the Lions responded late with a 5-0 run made up of kills by Aedan Vanegas and Van der Wal to take a 21-20 lead. Kills by Vanegas and Lucas Nieves closed out the set to give the LIons a 25-23 set two win. 

The Crusaders took an early 10-2 lead in set three. Belmont Abbey continued on a run to push their lead to 17-7 and closed out the set strong to win the set, 25-10. 

In set four, the Crusaders jumped out ahead early 9-3 and a 4-0 run by Belmont Abbey made it 16-6. The Crusaders closed out the set strong to earn a 25-12 set four win and a 3-1 victory. 

The Lions had 25 kills, 2 aces, 3 blocks, 24 assists, and 37 digs on the night. 

Thijs Van der Wal led the way with 6 kills, 2 aces, and 9 digs. Oliwer Wrobel led the team in blocks with 2 and assists with 22.  

Next up, the Lions will travel to Due West, SC to face the Erskine Flying Fleet on April 12 at 2PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.