Trojan men's volleyball falls to pair of top-10 teams

By UMO Sports Information
Published in Sports on January 18, 2014 11:08 PM

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CHICAGO -- A homecoming and a family reunion.

Second-year University of Mount Olive head men's volleyball coach David Heller returned to his home state and alma mater -- Lewis University -- on Friday evening. His Trojans took the first set against the No. 9-ranked Flyers, but eventually dropped an 18-25, 25-12, 25-22, 25-21 decision to the perennial powerhouse.

Twin brothers Tyler and Lucas Yanez, who each transferred from Pierce (Calif.) College, also squared off against each other. Tyler dished out 46 assists, while Lucas led Lewis' defense with 10 digs.

Angel Dache cranked out 21 kills, while Steven Cruse and Lewis Einarson supplied 10 kills apiece. Garret Dimm logged nine kills in his first collegiate start.

Alex Palmatier recorded a match-high seven blocks, while Cruse and libero Josh Donahue each collected seven digs defensively.

The Trojans compiled a .388 hitting percentage during the final two sets and posted seven team blocks against the Flyers. However, 22 service errors proved pivotal in the four-set defeat.

No. 2-ranked Loyola-Chicago held Mount Olive to a minus-.095 hitting percentage during its 25-9, 25-11, 25-9 victory Saturday evening. Dache recorded 11 kills for the Trojans, who committed 23 hitting errors in the three-set affair.

Loyola hit a phenomenal .667 and had 40 team kills for the match.

Yanez, Renzo Rossato, Sawyer Frederick and Bastian Steppin combined for 13 assists on 17 UMO team kills. Donahue paced the defense with three digs.

The Trojans (1-2 overall) return home Friday for a pivotal Conference Carolinas doubleheader. UMO entertains Limestone (S.C.) on Friday and welcomes Erskine (S.C.) to Kornegay Arena on Saturday afternoon.