CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The University of Charleston men's volleyball team opened its 2025 season with a dominant 3-0 sweep (25-19, 25-17, 25-18) over Catawba College on Tuesday night at the Wehrle Innovation Center. The victory also marked the first career win for Head Coach Robert Poole, who takes the helm of the Golden Eagles this season.
The Basics:
Location: Wehrle Innovation Center
Score: 3-0 (25-19, 25-17, 25-18) - W
Records: UC 1-0; Catawba 0-1
How it Happened:
Charleston (1-0) showcased a balanced attack and efficient play throughout the match. Freshman Xander Bomert led the Golden Eagles offensively, tallying 14.5 points on 11 kills in 26 total attempts (.269). Joonatan Salpakari was also a key compentent offensively for UC with eight kills on a .333 hitting percentage, while Felipe Mendes followed closely with seven kills and two service aces, contributing 9.5 points. Erel Bardah was highly efficient, tallying five kills on six attempts for an .833 hitting percentage and a team-high 10 points.
In the first set, Charleston's sharp offense, hitting .345, powered them to a 25-19 win. Salpakari and Mendes set the tone early, combining for crucial kills that kept Catawba at bay. The second set saw the Golden Eagles continue their dominance, capitalizing on Catawba's errors while maintaining a .368 hitting percentage to secure a 25-17 victory. Charleston closed out the match with another strong performance in the third set, winning 25-18, as Bardah and Mendes delivered key plays.
Charleston's defense also impressed, with Braxton Francis and Bardah each recording two blocks, while the team combined for 12 block assists. Paul Stommel anchored the setting duties with 34 assists, and Curtis Raines steadied the back row with seven digs.
Catawba (0-1) struggled to find rhythm against Charleston's solid defense, hitting just .050 as a team.
Up Next:
The Golden Eagles hit the road for their next match, facing Queens University of Charlotte on Saturday, Jan. 11. The game is set for a 6 p.m. start at Curry Arena in Charlotte, N.C., as Charleston looks to build on their strong season opener.
