CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The #14 Campbellsville University's men's volleyball team hosted their home opener to Limestone University Friday evening in the Vs. Cancer NAIA/NCAA Crossover Challenge. The Tigers fell to the Saints 3-2.
In the first set, errors were made by both the Tigers and Saints. As the score showed 2-3, Campbellsville went on a four-point run until a ball tipped out of bounds. Limestone returned the intensity as they went on four-point run of their own but was stopped short as
Bastian Korreck earned a kill. A combined effort from
Eric Heller and
Ryan Smith won back the score at 20-22 with a block after trading points since a 13-13 score. The set point was Campbellsville's to clinch; however, an out-of-bounds serve allowed the Saints to even the score. Limestone University took the first set in a score of 26-24. At set's end, Korreck gained seven total kills of the team's 15 total.
Into the second set, the Tigers lost the first point due to lack of coverage and couldn't seem to gain the lead. Campbellsville acquired an even score at 4-4, but Limestone soon collected a three-point advantage. Campbellsville's attack errors were adding up increasing their deficit against the Saints. After climbing back, the Tigers took the lead at 18-17 with a kill from
Drew Sims. The Tigers capitalized from their off-balanced opponents and went on a six-point series. Campbellsville won set two by a serve error with a score of 25-19.
The third set began with losing first-point leverage to a block from the opposing Saints. A kill from
Jason Camacho soon gained the Tigers the upper hand. Limestone took hold of the lead at 5-4 and continued to score for another three points uninterrupted by the Tigers. Later in the set, Campbellsville stood at a four-point deficit, but the Tigers worked their way toward tying it up and eventually completed the task as Heller and Smith solidified a block. Limestone would ultimately earn set three 25-23. Camacho accumulated six kills in the set.
Campbellsville began the fourth set with scoring four sequential points. Limestone returned the energy with a series of three kills.
Andres Laboy landed a kill to end the Saints' point progression. As Campbellsville led by two, a pair of kills from Korreck and a pair of errors ensured the Tigers a five-point lead. Campbellsville plowed to their largest lead of the match of eight-points due to an error from the Saints. A kill from
Jakob Zum Kolk closed the match 25-19. Korreck tallied six more completed attacks to add to his 19 kills through four sets.
The deciding set began with Campbellsville being first to take the lead at 4-3 with an attack provided by Heller. Limestone answered with a three-point kill run. The Saints were able to gain leverage from the Tigers' errors. Heller put an end to the Saints' succession with a blocked attack to land at mid-court. Although the Tigers fought valiantly, Campbellsville fell to Limestone 15-11.
The Tigers ended the evening with 52 total kills. Korreck held 21 kills, Camacho tallied 15, and Kolk earned five. Of the 26 digs, Laboy amassed ten. Camacho and Kolk earned five digs apiece. 49 assists were earned by the Tigers, 43 of which were provided by Smith.
Campbellsville returns to Gosser Gymnasium tomorrow afternoon to compete against Mount Vernon Nazarene University (OH) in their second and final match of the Vs. Cancer NAIA/NCAA Crossover Challenge. The game is set to begin at 1 p.m. ET.
