CLEVELAND, Ga. (February 23-24, 2023) – On Thursday-Friday, the Truett McConnell University men's volleyball team traveled to Carolina University for a non-conference match-up, where the Bears fell in a nail-biter (31-33, 17-25, 22-25), proceeding to travel to face Appalachian Athletic Conference foe St. Andrews University, where the Bears fell in three sets (7-25, 17-25, 21-25). TMU falls to a record of 0-10, 0-5 AAC.

CAROLINA UNIVERSITY | 0-3
The Bruins took an early lead, but a kill from Jackson Adams gave TMU their first lead of the game. The Bruins responded with their own kills, but a kill from Alex Bosman and Adams held them at bay. A three-point rally from the Bears included kills from Nathan Hill and Adams to propel TMU forward. Both teams were neck-and-neck until a five-point rally from the Bruins stole the lead. Kills from Bosman, Hill and Kyle Gregory kept TMU within margin but were not enough (31-33). In set two, the Bruins took an early lead with a three-point rally followed by a four-point rally. A service ace from Wensky Saintilmond worked to cut at the deficit, but the Bruins retaliated with a six-point rally. A late five-point rally from the Bears sparked hope but were unable to seal the deal (17-25). In the final set, the Bruins were first on the board with kills of their own but kills from Bosman and Saintilmond quickly evened the match. A kill from Gregory and Adams sparked the Bears' momentum to steal the Bruins' lead. A late five-point rally from the Bruins left TMU to fall short, 22-25.

LEADERS
Bosman led the way with nine kills, while Adams recorded five kills, two blocks and five digs. Gregory contributed five kills, while Saintilmond had one service ace and seven digs and Hill had seven digs and two blocks.  

ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY | 0-3
The Knights were first on the board, but a kill from Gregory kept both teams evenly matched. A 12-point rally from the Knights created a large margin until the Bears saw kills from Shuman and Bosman (7-25). In set two, an early three-point rally from the Bears saw kills from Gregory and Adams, followed by a service ace from Bosman to put TMU ahead. The Knights responded with a six-point rally of their own, but the Bears were persistent with kills from Saintilmond and Gregory. Kills from Adams and Gregory sparked the Bears hope, but was not enough (17-25). In the final set, TMU was first to score with a kill from Gregory. The Knights were resilient with a seven-point rally, but kills from Gregory and a service ace from Adams kept TMU in the match. A late three-point rally from the Bears saw kills from Shuman and Bosman to propel TMU forward until a late three-point rally from the Knights left the Bears behind (21-25).

LEADERS
Gregory led the way with nine kills while Bosman recorded four kills and one service ace. Shuman tallied three kills and two blocks while Jakob Lee recorded eight digs and Hill contributed seven digs. 

UP NEXT
The Bears travel to Laurinburg, N.C. on Saturday, February 25 for a non-conference tri-match against Alderson Broaddus University and Milligan University. Match time is set for 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.