ST. CHARLES, MO. – The Golden Eagles picked up their first win of the 2019 season, after defeating Lindenwood University 3-2 (25-22, 25-18, 24-26, 21-25, 15-13).
 
Just the Basics
 
SCORE- Charleston 3, Lindenwood University 2
 
TEAM RECORDS - Charleston (1-1), LU (0-1)
 
UC Match Leaders
- Max Senica had 16 kills against the Lions
- Eugene Stuart had 1 block for Charleston
- Diego Villafane had 43 assists for the Golden Eagles
- Brandon Greenway had 12 digs for UC
 
How It Happened
The UC Golden Eagles picked up their first win under Head Coach Mike Iandolo on friday night, defeating the Lions from Lindenwood University 3-2 (25-22, 25-18, 24-26, 21-25, 15-13), in a close battle between the two sides. 
 
Senior Adriel Roberts starting the scoring for the day, acing his serve to put the Golden Eagles up 1-0 in the first set. Sophomore Max Senica doubled the lead for UC, as freshman standout Diego Villafane assisted Senica in his first kill of the match. The set continued to stay close until UC began to pull away with a 20-14 lead. Senior Brandon Greenway gave the Golden Eagles the final point of the set with a kill assisted by Villafane, giving UC a 1-0 lead.
 
The Golden Eagles had a 1-0 edge heading into the second set, using that momentum to propel themselves atop the Lions again. Senica again stood out in this set with four kills, and a block by senior Eugene Stuart took UC to a 25-18 win, giving them a 2-0 lead.
 
The third set of play was a turn in the match for Charleston, as they could not top the Lions. The sides went back and forth until they were tied at 24-24, but the Golden Eagles could not keep up with the energy of Lindenwood, losing the set 24-26.
 
Charleston was not able to rally heading into the fourth set of the day, fighting against LU to keep the lead. The Golden Eagles, however, were unsuccessful, as the Lions gradually increased the gap in score between the two sides. UC fell in the fourth set 21-25.
 
Forcing the game into a fifth set, the Golden Eagles knew how important it was to win, taking them to a win on the day. The dynamic duo of Senica and Villafane gave UC their first point of the set, and gave the team the intensity to take the set. Sophomore Maarten Bartels pulled through for Charleston with three kills, leading them to a 15-13 win, and ultimately a 3-2 victory.