Fort Valley, GA – The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball team traveled to Fort Valley, GA tonight to take on Fort Valley State University in non-conference action. The Lions jumped out to an early lead, winning the first two sets, 25-15, 25-23 before falling in the final three sets, 25-18, 25-20, 15-8. With the loss, the Lions fall to 3-7 on the season. 

The Lions took an early 4-1 lead on kills and a service ace by Elek Cumming. The Wildcats responded to tie things up at 4-4 but the Lions used a 6-0 scoring run made up of kills by Aidan Feeney and an ace by Greg Bodus to make it 13-6 Lions. The Lions closed out the set strong with kills by Thijs Van der Wal, Cumming and Feeney to give Emmanuel the set one win, 25-15.

In set two, the teams traded points and the lead early. Kills by Feeney and Bodus gave the Lions the 8-6 lead early, but the Wildcats responded to tie things at 8-8. A 3-0 run from the Lions midway through the set put Emmanuel up 17-14 and kills from Van der Wal, Feeney and Cumming closed the set out strong to give the Lions the set two win, 25-20. 

The Wildcats answered in set three, taking and early 9-5 lead. The Lions responded with kills from Feeney and two service aces by Cumming to tie things at 10-10. With the Lions up 14-13, the Wildcats went on a 9-1 run to take the 22-15 lead. Fort Valley State closed the set strong to earn the win in set three, 25-18.

Fort Valley State took an early 6-3 lead in set four. A kill by Feeney and attack errors by the Wildcats cut the Fort Valley State lead to 9-7, but the Wildcats used a 3-0 run to go up 12-7. Midway through the set, the Wildcats led 15-11, but the Lions answered with kills by Van der Wal and Feeney to pull within two points, 15-13. With the Wildcats up 17-13, the Lions used a 4-0 run to tie the set at 17-17. The two teams traded points and the lead until late when the Wildcats used a 5-0 run to earn the win in set four, 25-20. 

In the final set, the Wildcats opened up with a 6-1 lead. Kills by Feeney and a service ace by Bodus made it 12-8, Wildcats and the home team closed the set out on a 3-0 run to take the set 15-8 and the game, 3-2. 

Overall, the Lions had 45 kills, 6 aces, 6 blocks, 39 assists, and 43 digs.

Aidan Feeney led all players with 20 kills on the night, with Thijs Van der Wal adding 10. Elek Cumming led the Lions at the service line with 3 aces, while Greg Bodus added 2. Bodus picked up 3 blocks on the night, with Bryan Povea collecting 2. Bodus led the team in assists with 34, while Van der Wal picked up 12 digs to lead the way.

The Lions will be back in action on Thursday as they host Barton College on Thursday at 7PM. 

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.