Box Score
Davenport, Iowa - The Cardinal Stritch University Wolves men's volleyball team pulled off the upset on Thursday after defeating the No.2 ranked Hope International University Royals in four sets by the scores of 30-22, 30-21, 28-30, 30-28.
The first match win at the National Tournament for the Wolves came in dominating fashion against a team that beat the Wolves with ease only three weeks ago in California. The first set of the match started out with early kills from the first team all-conference middle blocker Scott Golden (Vernon Hills, Ill.) and the player of the year Vladimir Frenc (Belgrade, Serbia). With the Wolves down by two points at the score of 6-8, Hope International decided to give Stritch a little extra help by committing three attack errors out of four consecutive plays. Once the score reached 11-8 in favor of the Wolves, Stritch put down the hammer and never looked back as they took the first set by the score of 30-22.
The second set was a mere repeat of the first set as the Wolves took advantage of three consecutive attack errors by Hope International in the mist of a five point run. An early 8-4 lead for the Wolves would be all they needed as the Royals continued to make mistakes throughout the game. Three set errors by Hope International and strong play from outside attacker Austin Cass (Madison, Wis.) left no doubt as to who would take set number two as the Wolves won handily by the score of 30-21.
The Hope International team that was ranked second in the nation for most of the year finally woke up in the third set. Both teams went toe-to-toe in a battle of wills as the offensive attackers minimized their errors and started to record consistent kills. Everyone on the Wolves' team got involved in this tightly contested game that came down to the last few plays. With the score tied at 27 a piece, the Wolves committed two costly errors that would give Hope International a set point opportunity. A kill by Frenc brought the Wolves within one, but Hope matched it with a kill of their own, giving them a game three victory by the score of 28-30.
The fourth and final set nearly turned into a disaster for the Wolves after they jumped out to a 15-11 lead. Suddenly, the Wolves lost their focus and let Hope International back into the game by committing three consecutive errors. Back and forth play kept the score close thanks to first team all conference outside hitter Matt Tauaese (Ponoma, Calif.) and Austin Cass, who would not be denied. Matt Tauaese recorded a very important block kill that brought the Wolves to within one at the score of 26-27. Three more attack errors by Hope International gave the Wolves a 29-27 lead, and a final kill by Cass led to the match win in pool play.
Vladimir Frenc led the Wolves in kills with 22, while Austin Cass trailed with 17 kills, and Matt Tauaese with 15 kills. Garrett Payne finished his day with an impressive 56 assists, and Brenden McDevitt (Chicago, Ill.) helped out the defense with seven digs. The men at the net also did their job and gave the Wolves 11 team blocks.
The Wolves, now 26-11, will move on to their next match in pool play against St. Ambrose University tomorrow at 10 a.m.