LAKE WALES, Fla. (February 9, 2024) - On Friday, the Truett McConnell University men's volleyball team, traveled to compete in an Appalachian Athletic Conference match-up against (RV) Warner University, where the Bears put up a tough fight, battling the Royals to five sets, but ultimately falling 3-2. TMU falls to an overall record of 2-6, 0-2 AAC while WU rises to a record of 4-5, 1-0 AAC.

PLAY-BY-PLAY

In set one, the Bears were first to score with an error on the opposing team. WU responded with a four point rally, eager to take an early lead over the  Bears. Forced to work from behind, TMU put together a three-point rally, featuring a kill by Caleb Bosveld and a solo block by Stephen Dixon, to reduce the margin to three. The Royals continued to increase their lead, ultimately leaving the Bears behind after two, four-point rallies, allowing WU to take set one, 16-25. The second set saw the Royals up first, with the Bears immediately responding with a four point rally, featuring a kill by Troy McAllister. TMU continued to dominate the set, increasing the gap by eight points with kills by Alex Bosman and Dixon. A late run by the Royals attempted to take away the Bears lead, but was ultimately unsuccessful as TMU took the win in set two, 25-23. 

The third set saw the Bears first to attack with back-to-back kills by Bosveld. The Bears once again found themselves in position to retain an early lead as kills by Bosman and Nathan Hill pushed TMU ahead of the Royals. A final four point rally by WU tried to overturn the Bears momentum, but proved unsuccessful as a service ace by Hill sealed the deal for a set three win (25-20). The fourth set saw both teams battle for the lead, as they remained evenly matched. The Bears continued to hold their own as kills by Adam Shuman and Bosman attempted to finalize the win in set four, but was pulled out of reach when consecutive kills by the Royals, gave WU set four, 20-25.

In the final set, the Bears came out hot at the start with a service ace by Wensky Saintilmond and kills by Bosman. Both teams fought back and forth, giving it all they had, when a four-point rally by the Bears put TMU in winning range. The Bears continued to work together, eager to take down the Royals, but were ultimately unsuccessful as a final three point rally by WU gave the Royals set five (13-15), falling to a final match score of 2-3. 

LEADERS

Bosman led the way with 19 kills, two services aces, two solo blocks and one block assist. Bosveld followed with six kills and two block assists while Shuman had four kills and two service aces. Hill was featured recording 19 digs, while Saintilmond had 14 digs and 29 assists on the evening.

UP NEXT

The Bears will be back in action on Tuesday, February 13, as they host Morehouse College for a non-conference match-up, inside the Harris Athletic Complex. Match time set for 7:00 p.m.