MIDWAY, Ky. — The (RV) Tigers hit the road to take on the Midway University Eagles on Tuesday night. Despite losing the third set, Campbellsville rebounded strong with devastating offense and took the victory, 3-1.
The Tigers kept a firm hold on the advantage from the early stages of the game. Denzel Madrigal and JoVeaun Banks' tenacity was evident as they scored kill after kill widening Campbellsville's lead and leaving the Eagles trailing from the opening of the set. Despite Midway's efforts to capitalize off the Tigers' errors, they were unable to decrease their deficit in the game. At the end of the frame, Campbellsville took the first set, 25-20.
The tension on the court was palpable as the teams came into the second set, remaining close to one another from the opening minutes of the frame. Madrigal, Moritz Frauendorf, and John-Marcos Gonzalez propelled the Tigers forward with unrelenting kills, increasing Midway's deficit. Campbellsville increased their advantage over the Eagles, leaving Midway reeling at the disadvantage. Alonzo Vega agilely set up his fellow Tigers to attack Midway with deft offensive efforts. Campbellsville won the second set, 25-14.
As the third set unfolded, the dominance on the court took a dramatic turn as Midway surged ahead and seized control of the lead. The Tigers fought through a relentless battle for the upper-hand, attempting to block the Eagles' kills. Midway strongly aided Campbellsville clawing their way back up to narrow their deficit on the scoreboard. However, the Eagles' counterattack ruthlessly widened the gap again, leaving the Tigers trailing once again. Despite the Tigers efforts to steal the set, they couldn't come back, 25-21.
The Tigers came into the fourth set with the clear purpose to make it the final frame and take the win. Pedro Zavatini came into the court with an unyielding onslaught of back-to-back kills as a testament of Campbellsville's unwavering perseverance to dominate the match. Banks and Madrigal continued to surge the Tigers forward, solidifying Campbellsville's advantage aided by Aleksa Plevaljcic. The Tigers took the victory over the Eagles, closing the fourth set, 25-17.
Campbellsville finished the match with a hitting percentage of .331 and three blocks, compared to Midway's .185 hitting percentage and six. Madrigal led Campbellsville with 22 kills, Andres Laboy with 15 digs, and Plevaljcic with 29 assists.
The Tigers will be back in action, Saturday, March 16th, traveling to Lebanon, Tennessee to go against the Cumberland University Phoenix beginning at 1 p.m. ET.
