Box Score
Riverside, Calif. - The No. 3 Cardinal Stritch University Wolves were unable to pull off the upset as the No. 1 California Baptist University Lancers defeated the Wolves in straight sets 24-30, 30-32, 32-34.
The Wolves got off to a great start in the first set as they went point for point with the Lancers throughout much of the game. Matt Tauaese (Ponoma, Calif.), Vladimir Frenc (Belgrade, Serbia), and Scott Golden (Vernon Hills, Ill.) led the charge on the offensive side of the ball with seven kills total to bring the score to 14-14. Stritch continued to fight to keep within striking distance, but were unable to stop a four point run by the Lancers at 22-23, putting the Wolves down 22-27. California Baptist would end up closing the game out with a victory by the score of 24-30.
The second set looked to be exactly what the Wolves needed to win a game against the Lancers. Early in the game, the Wolves made separate runs of three and four points, giving them an early 9-5 lead. Three attack errors by Stritch, and two kills from the Lancers, however, would erase that lead and give the Wolves a one point deficit by the score of 9-10. Stritch successfully kept the score close for the remainder of the game, and would end up having the serve for game point at the score of 29-28.
However, the Lancers fought back to tie the game, and would be the final team to score two straight points to take the win by the score of 30-32.
The final set of the match closely resembled the second set, as the Wolves and the Lancers fought desperately to pull away with a lead. From start to finish, the largest lead posted by either team was three points. Austin Cass (Madison, Wis.) and Matt Tauaese stepped their game up as the Lancers did all they could to take Vladimir Frenc out of the offensive attack.
As the game came down to the final points, Stritch found themselves with their second opportunity to win a game by having serve at 29-28. However, an untimely service error by Austin Cass would give the Lancers a second chance to win the game and the match. The experienced Lancers would take advantage of the opportunity and win the final set 32-34.
Vladimir Frenc led all hitters in kills with 14 on 36 attempts, and Scott Golden had an impressive .550 hitting percentage with 13 kills and two errors. Defensively, Vladimir Frenc and Brendan McDevitt (Chicago, Ill.) came up with 11 digs a piece, while Garrett Payne finished the match with 47 assists.
The Wolves will have a day off on Thursday before they face No. 2 Hope International on Friday at 9 p.m.