Pfeiffer rallies, stuns Trojans

By MOC Sports Information
Published in Sports on February 8, 2012 1:48 PM

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MOC Sports Information

MOUNT OLIVE -- A pair of call reversals on back-to-back plays helped Mount Olive College save three match points, but in-state rival Pfeiffer University completed its comeback from a two-set deficit with a 19-25, 19-25, 25-20, 25-14, 16-14 victory over the Trojans in a Conference Carolinas men's volleyball match Tuesday evening at Kornegay Arena.

Alex Rivero recorded a match-high 18 kills, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Trojans' first-ever loss to the Falcons in five meetings.

Mount Olive (2-8 overall, 1-1 Conference Carolinas) fell behind 7-1 in the final set after committing five attack errors in the first eight points, two on blocks by Pfeiffer's C.J. Coatsworth. The Trojans pulled within 13-11 on Adam Miracle's kill.

Caleb Brophy's kill gave Pfeiffer (3-1, 3-0) match point and set the stage for a bizarre sequence. One of four Falcons with a double-digit kills total, Brophy appeared to have his second straight kill as the ball landed in the Trojans' back row. Pfeiffer players came off the bench to celebrate, but a net error was called and the match continued.

David Frazee's apparent kill triggered another Falcon celebration, but the point was reversed on another error as Mount Olive pulled within 14-13.

Alex Vazquez recorded a kill to tie the set and save the third match point. But Brophy answered with another kill and Quentin Moore put home his team-high 15th kill to seal the win. After a long look at the first official to make sure the point stood, the Falcons again poured onto the floor in celebration.

Lukas Hoelzl and John David Nunns finished with nine kills apiece for Mount Olive, while Alex Vazquez added eight kills. Nunns led all players with seven blocks. Setter Jackson Metichecchia notched a double-double with 43 assists and 12 digs, while Dan Arnold recorded a match-high 13 digs.