SALISBURY, North Carolina — The University of Charleston men's volleyball team earned a four-set road victory Friday night, defeating Catawba College 3-1 inside Goodman Arena.

The Basics:
Location: Salisbury, North Carolina (Goodman Arena)
Score: Charleston 3, Catawba 1 (25-19, 25-17, 19-25, 31-29)
Records: Charleston 5-5 (0-0 EIVA), Catawba 2-4 (0-0 DI Independent)

How it Happened:
The opening set stayed tight early as the two teams traded points before Charleston reached double digits first with a 10-9 advantage. The set remained close until the Golden Eagles held a 17-16 lead, then created separation with a three-point run to push the margin to 20-16. Another late surge extended the lead to 23-17, allowing Charleston to close out the set 25-19.

Charleston carried momentum into the second set, breaking open a 2-2 tie with a four-point run to take a 7-2 lead. UC doubled up Catawba at 10-5 and continued to build its advantage through the middle of the set, reaching 20 points with a 20-11 lead. The early cushion proved too much to overcome as Charleston secured the set 25-17.

Catawba responded in the third set, keeping the score close early before pulling ahead midway through the set. With the score at 18-16, the hosts went on a decisive five-point run to extend the lead to 23-16, creating the separation needed to close out the set 25-19.

The final set turned into an extended battle as both teams fought point-for-point with the match on the line. Charleston reached 20 points first with a 20-18 advantage before Catawba answered with a three-point run to take a 21-20 lead. The teams continued trading points into extra points, tying at 24-24 and again at 29-29. Charleston capitalized on a Catawba attack error before Samuel Alo delivered the final kill to seal a dramatic 31-29 win and secure the match, 3-1.  
Up Next:
Charleston returns home on February 13, hosting George Mason University at the Wehrle Innovation Center. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.