CLEVELAND, Ga. (January 27, 2024) – On Saturday, the Truett McConnell University men's volleyball team hosted Saint-Mary-of-The Woods College, for two back-to-back non-conference match-ups, where the Bears played through eight grueling sets, falling 3-2 (25-22, 25-20, 13-25, 23-25, 8-15) in match one and 3-0 (16-25, 22-25, 15-25) in match two, finishing 0-2 on the evening. TMU falls to an overall record of 1-3, while SMWC rises to a record of 2-0.
 
MATCH 1 | TMU 2 – SMWC 3
PLAY-BY-PLAY
In the first set TMU was first on the board with a kill by Caleb Bosveld. Both teams battled back and forth, remaining even with each other, when a three-point rally by the bears featuring a kill by Alex Bosman, put TMU in the lead by two. TMU continued to hold their own, forcing another three-point rally with a kill by Troy McAlister, block assist by Wensky Saintilmond and Adam Shuman, and a solo block by Bosman. The Pomeroys continued to fight back, threatening the Bears lead when two back-to-back errors by the visiting team, sealed the deal on a set one win for TMU (25-22). The second set began with SMWC first to take the lead, forcing the Bears to work from behind. TMU continued to trail the Pomeroys when a four-point rally by the Bears, featuring a service ace by Bosman, sent the home team ahead by two. A last chance four-point rally by SMWC, attempted to change the tide of the game, but was ultimately not enough as the Bears found a win in set two, 25-20. 
 
Set three saw a change in pace for the visiting team as SMWC found an early lead over the Bears by four points. Kills by Shuman and Bosman attempted to disrupt the momentum created by the Pomeroys, but was ultimately unsuccessful as SMWC took set three, 13-25. In set four, TMU was first on the board by three points, featuring a service ace by Bosveld. Both teams battled back in forth, with the Bears remaining ahead by a slim margin, when a four-point rally by the visitors, sent SMWC ahead by two. The Bears continued to fight to stay alive and finish the match in set four, but were ultimately unable to finish the job, forcing a fifth set with a final score of 23-25. The final set saw the Bears first on the board with SMWC quickly responding with two points of their own. The visiting team proved to be a tough competitor in set five, putting up a five- and four-point rally against the Bears. Three consecutive errors by the Pomeroys gave TMU hope at securing the match win but was ultimately short lived as the visitors took set five, 8-15, resulting in a final match score of 2-3.
 
LEADERS
Bosman led the way with 14 kills, two service aces, and one solo block. Bosveld followed with 10 kills and two service aces, while McAlister had five kills and Shuman had four kills, one solo block and a block assist. Saintilmond was featured recording 30 assists.
 
MATCH 2 | TMU 0 – SMWC 3
PLAY-BY-PLAY
Set one began with a six-point rally by SMWC, when an error by the visiting team followed by a kill by Bosman disrupted the Pomeroys lead. TMU continued to work together, piecing together a four-point rally, with kills by Bosman, Bosveld and McAlister, to bounce back to a one-point score differential. A final six-point rally by SMWC ultimately proved to be the final straw in set one, falling 16-25. In set two, the Bears took control first, holding a three-point lead over the Pomeroys, featuring four consecutive kills by Bosman and a kill by Saintilmond. The home team continued to play with heart, eager to take back the match, when a late five-point rally by SMWC put the Pomeroys ahead, falling in set two 22-25. 
 
Set three began with a 10-point rally by SMWC, with a block assist by Bosveld and Shuman finally putting TMU on the board. The visiting team continued to power through the game, when a last chance effort by the Bears, featuring kills by Bosman, McAlister and Saintilmond, attempted to turn the set around, but was ultimately not enough, falling in set three, 15-25, resulting in a final match score of 0-3.
 
LEADERS
Bosman once again led the way for the Bears with 13 kills, while McAlister recorded seven kills and Bosveld had six kills. Saintilmond was featured recording 25 assists, respectfully.
 
UP NEXT
The Bears will be back in action on the road, Tuesday, January 30, as they take on Carolina University in a non-conference match-up. Match time set for 7:00 p.m.