CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — (RV) Campbellsville opened up Mid-South Conference play with a tight loss to the Thomas More Saints.
Both teams had their respective errors at the start. No team led by more than three points until the Saints were up 20-16.
Jakob Zum Kolk put a quick end to the Saint's run with a kill that switched the momentum in favor of the Tigers. Campbellsville went on a 4-1 run to bring the Tigers back into the game, putting Campbellsville just one behind at 22-21. After Thomas More called a timeout,
John-Marcos Gonzalez returned to the service line and aced the Saints. Although it was hard fought, Thomas More took the first set 29-27. The Tigers had 13 kills with nine errors resulting in a .103 hitting percentage, while Thomas More had 12 kills and six errors with a .167. Hitting percentage differences, even in the hundredth percent, made the difference.
After the Tigers started with a nail-biter in the first frame, they sought revenge, and
Diego Betancourt opened up with an ace. Campbellsville continued to push their lead with
Leonel Fernandez and Betancourt's connection allowing Fernandez two kills. The Tigers started the second set efficiently and effectively over the Saints. Similar to the first, no team had more than a three-point lead in the second frame. Thomas More retook the advantage at 19-16, forcing the Tigers to call a timeout. The Tigers used it to their benefit, with Zum Kolk nailing back-to-back kills. Fernandez tabbed a kill too. This run forced Thomas More to call a timeout of their own. Campbellsville was then down just one at 21-20. Betancourt found
JoVeaun Banks and
Jariel Diaz in crucial times, but it was not enough for the Tigers. They lost the second set 27-25. The Tigers ended the frame hitting .242, a marked improvement but still not enough.
In the third, the Tigers aimed to improve their hitting percentage even further. Diaz opened the set, improving his kill rate by getting two. Followed by those was a service ace from
Fernand Morales. After that, the Saints went on a five-point spree forcing the Tigers to try and stop their sprint with a timeout. Campbellsville could not meet the momentum of Thomas More as they continued to build their lead 22-12. The Tigers found their footing and chalked up five consecutive points with credit to Betancourt, who distributed the ball to various attackers. The run was not enough though, as the Saints went on to win set three 25-19.
The Tigers ended the day with their first conference loss of the 2023 season. Zum Kolk led the team with 12 kills, Laboy with 14 digs, and Betancourt had 30 assists. Campbellsville finished the day with a .134 hitting percentage, five aces, and eight blocks.
Campbellsville will play next Saturday, February 11th at 7 p.m. ET at Lawrence Tech in Michigan.
