Box Score
Riverside, Calif. - The No. 1 ranked California Baptist Lancers gave The Cardinal Stritch University Wolves all they could handle on Tuesday night, downing the Wolves in straight sets 22-30, 27-30, 21-30.
The Wolves began the night by playing a tightly contested first set with the Lancers, finding themselves down two points at the score of 8-10. It was at this point the Lancer’s firepower came to life and made a large run to bring the score to 12-20. Scott Golden’s (Vernon Hills, Ill.) successful attacking earlier in the game was no longer effective as California Baptist made quick defensive adjustments. The Lancer’s would push through the end of the game without trouble, taking the first set 22-30.
Four service errors and one attack error by the Lancers at the start of the second set helped the Wolves jump out to a 6-4 lead. A timeout called by the Lancers turned out to be all that they needed to get their heads back into the game. The Wolves were unable to maintain their two point lead, but did keep themselves within two or three points for a majority of the match. At 22-24, the Wolves were unable to execute a side out, and the Lancers rattled off three consecutive points. The Wolves would give a hard effort, however, to bring the final score to 27-30.
In the final set of the match, the Wolves were unable to bring the competitive spirit that they relied on so heavily in the first two games. After going down 6-12, the Wolves were unable to make stops and earn points for a possible comeback. The Lancers cruised for the remainder of the game and won by a score of 21-30.
Vladimir Frenc (Belgrade, Serbia) led all players with 12 kills in 25 attempts. Followed closely behind Frenc was Austin Cass (Madison, Wis.), who recorded nine kills on 25 attempts. Leading the defensive charge was Frenc with nine digs and Brendan McDevitt (Chicago, Ill.) with eight.
The Wolves will be facing the California Baptist Lancers again on Wednesday at 9 p.m. for the second of two matches during the California road trip.