CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — The (RV) Tigers hosted the Rio Grande RedStorm on Friday night for the first day of their home pod. The Tigers defeated the RedStorm in straight sets, 3-0, on the back of their impressive defense at the net.
The game began with a tight back and forth between both teams. However, Rio Grande got ahead by a few points capitalizing off aces and errors in their favor.
Joao Tavares and
John-Marcos Gonzalez worked together to block the Red Storm's attempts to score.
JoVeaun Banks' kills propelled Campbellsville forward to steal the lead from Rio Grande. The Tigers did not allow the RedStorm to catch up in the following minutes of the frame, racking up kill after kill. Campbellsville won the first set, 25-16.
The Tigers started the second set with a tight grasp on the advantage. Rio Grande retaliated with a couple of kills, but Campbellsville did not falter at the sight of push-back.
Aleksa Plevaljcic kept racking up assist after assist, agilely handling the ball for his fellow Tigers. The RedStorm's errors continued to be their demise, increasing their deficit in the set. Campbellsville won the second set, 25-21.
Much like the second, the Tigers opened the third set benefiting off Rio Grande's errors. The RedStorm quickly tied the score with a couple strong kills, but Gonzalez was quick to strike back and reclaim Campbellsville's advantage on the scoreboard. The tension on the court was palpable as the Tigers sought to take the game in straight sets. Both teams tied the score time and time again, boosting their defenses and scoring avid kills. At the end of the frame, Campbellsville stole the third set.
The Tigers finished the match with a hitting percentage of .295 and ten blocks, compared to the RedStorm's .115 hitting percentage and two blocks. Gonzalez led Campbellsville with ten kills, and
Alonzo Vega with 15 digs and 11 assists.
The Tigers will be back in action, hosting the Life University Eagles and the Calumet Crimson Wave tomorrow Saturday, March 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET and 6:30 p.m. ET, respectively.
