Saint Mary-Woods, Ind. (January 25, 2025) - On Thursday-Friday, the Truett McConnell University men's volleyball team opened the 2025 season at the SMWC Tournament, where the Bears defeated Kentucky State University (3-0), and suffered a loss against Saint-Mary-of-the-Wood's College (3-0) on day one, and bouncing back to record two big wins against Franklin College (3-0) and Rockford University (3-0) on day two. The Bears finish the weekend with an overall record of 3-1. 
 
DAY 1 | MATCH 1
TMU 3 - KSU 0
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Bears began set one with a four-point rally, featuring kills by Alex Bosman and Caleb Bosveld. The Bears continued to stay sharp, putting together a five-point rally with kills by Bosveld and Troy McAlister leading the way. A serving ace by Adam Shuman followed by an error on the opposing team ultimately secured set one for TMU, 25-11. A kill by Jed Bailey began set two as the Bears became eager to put the match away. An impressive 13-point rally by TMU, featuring four serving aces by Shuman ultimately locked the win in for set two, 25-9. In the third set, the Thorobreds attempted to disband the Bears taking the lead of the set early. A late seven-point rally by TMU, featuring two kills and two service aces by Bosveld, put KSU to bed as the Bears secured the sweep, 25-21. 
 
LEADERS
Bosveld led the way with 16 kills, while Bosman tallied 11 kills. Shuman followed with five serving aces, while Christopher Zambrana had 15 assists. 
 
DAY 1 | MATCH 2
TMU 0 - SMWC 3
PLAY-BY-PLAY 
In set one SMWC found luck first recording a six-point rally. Kills by Shuman, Bosveld and Bosman attempted to disrupt SMWC marginal lead but ultimately could not change the sets fate, 25-13. Set two began with kills by Bosveld and Shuman. A quick five-point rally by the opposing team once again gave SMWC the lead as TMU worked from behind. A kill by Bosman attempted to spark a shift in momentum for the Bears but was ultimately short lived, falling in set two (25-15). Set three saw a similar fate as kills by Bosveld, Shuman and Bosman worked to change the match's fate, but ultimately fell short, 25-12. 
 
LEADERS
Bosman led the way with eight kills, while Shuman had six kills and Bosveld recorded four kills. Zambrana was featured recording 18 kills, respectfully 
 
DAY 2 | MATCH 1
TMU 3 - FC 1
PLAY-BY-PLAY
In set one, both teams battled for the early lead with the Bears proving triumphant, featuring kills by Bailey and Bosveld. A late rally by the opposing team kept the score close as TMU looked to secure the set win. A final kill by Shuman gave TMU what was needed to take set one, 25-23. In set two, the Bears started off strong with an eight-point rally, featuring four consecutive kills by Bailey. TMU once again proved to be a tough competitor securing the set two win, 25-13. Set three saw a shift in momentum by the opposing team as both teams battled for the victory. Back-to-back kills by Bosman attempted to block FC from gaining the set win, but ultimately fell short, 25-23. In the final set, the Bears gave it their all, working together to take the match, when a late five-point rally secured the win (25-19).
 
LEADERS
Bosveld and Bailey both produced sharp performances for the Bears recording 15 kills apiece. Bosman followed with nine kills, while Zambrana tallied 45 assists. 
 
DAY 2 | MATCH 2
TMU 3 - RU 0
PLAY-BY-PLAY
The Bears once again started the match off hot with a six-point rally, featuring kills by Bosman and Bailey, paired with a block assist by Shuman and Bailey. Both teams battled as a late four-point rally by the opposing team attempted to stand in the way of a set one win, when a final kill by Bailey pushed the Bears ahead 25-22. In set two, RU found luck first taking an early lead. A five-point rally by TMU, featuring kills by McAlister, Bosveld and Bosman ultimately turned the tide in favor of the Bears as TMU secured set two, 25-21. In the final set, the Bears proved to be a top competitor. Kills by Bosveld, Bailey and McAlister kept TMU out of reach from RU as a match win shined bright in the Bears future. Two final errors on the opposing team ultimately sealed the Bears fate, sweeping RU 25-18.
 
LEADERS
Bailey led the way with 10 kills and two block assists. Bosman followed with eight kills and four serving aces, while Bosveld had seven kills. Shuman was featured recording four serving aces while Zambrana tallied 26 assists.
 
UP NEXT
The Bears will be back in action on Saturday, February 1 as TMU host Benedict College for a non-conference match-up inside the Harris Athletic Complex. Match time set for 3:00 p.m.