The University of Charleston Men's Volleyball team faced a challenging weekend on the road, suffering straight-set losses to McKendree University on Saturday and Lindenwood University on Sunday. Despite the setbacks, the Golden Eagles showcased moments of promise and strong individual performances.
The Basics:
Locations: Lebanon, IL - Harry M. Statham Sports Center; St. Charles, MO - Hyland Arena
Scores: 3-0 L vs. Mckendree (25-22, 25-23, 25-22); 3-0 L vs. Lindenwood (25-20, 25-14, 25-12)
Records: UC 1-6, McKendree 2-4, Lindenwood 2-3
Saturday: McKendree 3, Charleston 0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-22)
In a competitive match against McKendree, the Golden Eagles came up just short in all three sets. Kai Cousins led the offense with an impressive .500 hitting percentage, recording 12 kills on 20 attempts. Joonatan Salpakari also contributed 6 kills, hitting .176, while Braxton Francis added 3 kills and a service ace. Setter Paul Stommel tallied 31 assists, helping Charleston hit a respectable .207 as a team. Defensively, Cousins recorded 10 digs and a block assist, showing his versatility.
Each set was tightly contested, with Charleston staying within striking distance. However, McKendree's efficiency at key moments helped them edge out the Golden Eagles in all three frames.
Sunday: Lindenwood 3, Charleston 0 (25-20, 25-14, 25-12)
On Sunday, Charleston struggled to find their rhythm against a high-powered Lindenwood squad. Max Nissen led the team offensively with 8 kills on 22 attempts, while Cousins followed with 7 kills and a .222 hitting percentage. Francis continued his efficient play, contributing 5 kills and hitting .833 on the day. Stommel distributed 20 assists, but the Golden Eagles were limited to a .167 hitting percentage as a team.
Lindenwood's dominance was evident in the second set, where Charleston was held to just 14 points. The Golden Eagles couldn't contain the Lions' attack, which hit an impressive .493 overall. Despite the loss, Francis' near-perfect performance stood out as a bright spot.
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles will look to bounce back at home this Friday, January 31, as they take on King University. The match is set for 7:00 PM at the Wehrle Innovation Center. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the team as they aim to regroup and secure their second win of the season.
