TIGERVILLE, S.C. – The Golden Eagles rallied from down 2-1 to a five-set victory over North Greenville University on Monday evening at Hayes Gymnasium on the Crusader campus, winning a dramatic fifth set 18-16.
Just the Basics
SCORE
University of Charleston 3, North Greenville University 2 (25-21, 21-25, 18-25, 25-15, 18-16)
TEAM RECORDS
Charleston (9-4, 3-3 EIVA)
North Greenville (9-11, 4-5 CC)
How it Happened
UC men's volleyball avoided their fourth straight loss and an upset by rallying to win a fourth and fifth set at North Greenville, claiming their ninth victory of the 2018 campaign. The Golden Eagles had defeated the Crusaders in straight sets nearly two months ago in the Wehrle Innovation Center.
Charleston opened the match by taking the first set in fairly easy fashion, 25-21, but didn't attack all that well, hitting at .048 for the game. Their struggles continue in the second and third sets, allowing the hosts to capture both sets and back the Golden Eagles into a corner facing a four-set loss. UC fought back emphatically, taking the fourth set by double digits, 25-15, to set up the drama filled decisive fifth set.
The two team essentially traded points until the Golden Eagles strung together three straight after trailing 4-5 to take a 7-5 lead following a Eugene Stuart service ace. North Greenville responded, scoring five of the next seven points to reclaim a 10-9 lead late in the set. Charleston again made a run of their own, matching NGU's five of seven point earlier run to set up match point after a sneaky kill from setter Anthony Rivera. The Crusaders fought off both match points and had one of their own, but Stefan Krumerac hammered a line shot to even the match at 15-15.
Two points later and tied a 16-16, Charleston was helped by one NGU's 24 service errors to set up UC's fourth match point opportunity. Rivera served short but was handled well, setting up Ben Hamsho's attack that eventually was pushed wide to hand the Golden Eagles an 18-16 fifth set.
UC Match Leaders
Kills – Max Senica (12)
Assists – Anthony Rivera (42)
Digs – Darrin Depellegrini (10)
Blocks – Adriel Roberts (5)
Aces – Max Senica (6)
NOTABLES
- Charleston freshman Max Senica set a school-record for aces in a single match with six against the Crusaders. Senior outside Rajahl Moxey recorded his 500th career kill in the five-set victory. The Golden Eagles are 3-0 in five set matches this year.
NEXT UP
The Golden Eagles continue their trip through the Carolinas tomorrow with a match against Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. First serve with the Saints is set for 7:00 p.m. Charleston defeated Limestone, 3-1, in their first match of the season at the Grow the Game Challenge.
--UC--
