Men’s Volleyball Stopped by Clarke

Lamoni, Iowa – The Graceland University Men's Volleyball team took on the Clarke University Prides. The Yellowjackets were defeated by the Prides, 3-2. Moving to 2-6 on the season and are 0-2 in the Heart.

Set 1: Graceland 25 | Clarke 20
Graceland would work from ahead from the start, creating an early 1-4 lead, points from Sam Johnson, and a Thomas Weseloh ace. Graceland would add a three-point jump from Johnson (kill) and a Logan Book ace mid-set. A kill from Axel Rasquero would push a five-point t lead (20-15). Andrew Cziep and Johnson would find set-point. A Clarke error would give Graceland the set point.

Set 2: Graceland 21 | Clarke 25
The Yellowjacket would push the offensive with a 7-3 lead early, points from Andrew Cziep's ace, Sam Johnson's kill, and a Malakai Christian kill. The Pride would work an 8-2 scoring run to take the lead (16-14), and a Malakai Christian kill would break the run. Graceland would come from behind and even the score at 17-17 from back-to-back kills from Thomas Weseloh. The Pride would retake the lead from a three-point jump and hold the lead for set two.

Set 3: Graceland 25 | Clarke 21
Graceland would take a 6-2 lead early from the service of Logan Book, with kills from Sam Johnson from Mana Kahoopii. The Pride would answer to even the score at 6-6. Both teams would trade the lead. ZA kill from Sonny Tofi would push a four-point jump for the lead (18-14); points from Kalanikapu Aona and Andrew Cziep from the set by Sean Malaki. Graceland would hold their lead to take the third set.

Set 4: Graceland 19 | Clarke 25
The Pride would come out hot and create a 9-5 advantage. The Yellowjackets would close their deficit to one point from kills by Thomas Weseloh and Sam Johnson (12-11). Clarke would respond to put up a 5-1 run (17-12). The Pride would hold their lead to send the match to the fifth set.

Set 5: Graceland 11 | Clarke 15
Malakai Christian would open the fifth set with a kill from Mana Kahoopii, and Graceland would take the early advantage (6-3); points from Sonny Tofi (kill), Roy Rossello (ace), and Thomas Weseloh (block). Clarke would add five to even the score and would snatch seven of the remaining nine points to take the fifth set.

Graceland Leaders-
DIGS: Logan Book – 147
KILLS: Four Players – 7
SERVICE ACES: Andrew Cziep – 2
BLOCKS: Thomas Weseloh – 1 (solo) | Four Player – 1 (assist)

Clarke Leaders-
DIGS: Tye Ojala – 11
KILLS: Zachary Barr – 10
SERVICE ACES: Tye Ojala – 2
BLOCKS: Stephen Lewandowski – 6

Up Next:
The Men's Volleyball team be back on Saturday, February 23, when they take on the Mount Mercy University Mustangs. Match time is set for 11:00 am.

-Yellowjackets-