SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. – The (RV) Campbellsville Tigers battled on the road in a thrilling five-set match against Saint Mary of the Woods. With this victory, the Tigers improve to 2-0 in River States Conference play and aim to continue their momentum as the season progresses.
The match started with strong momentum as Ian Gei recorded three kills and a service ace, setting the tone for a competitive contest. The opening set was a tight battle, with both teams exchanging points, but the Pomeroys' offensive firepower proved difficult to contain as they hit an impressive .407. Despite a strong effort from the Tigers, they dropped the first set 25-22.
The second set saw multiple key players step up for Campbellsville, leading to a back-and-forth battle with several lead changes. Tied at 12-12, SMWC continued to be an offensive force, hitting .349 for the set. However, the Tigers were in control at 24-21 before allowing the Pomeroys to close the gap, forcing a timeout at 24-23. Campbellsville regrouped and closed out the set with a 25-23 victory.
In the third set, the Tigers gained momentum with strong defensive play, recording three blocks and hitting .314 as a team. The set was an intense showdown featuring 21 lead changes and multiple scoring runs. Ayoube Hamadache dominated offensively, racking up six kills in the set alone, helping Campbellsville secure another 25-23 win.
SMWC responded with determination while the Tigers struggled to maintain control in a must-win fourth set. Both teams had difficulty finding an offensive rhythm, hitting below .100. A serve-receive slump proved costly for Campbellsville, allowing the Pomeroys to capitalize and force a decisive fifth set with a 25-22 win.
The fifth set delivered an intense battle with the match on the line. The Pomeroys struck first, but Campbellsville quickly answered with a kill from John Marcos Gonzalez. Saint Mary called a timeout at 11-8, but the fight continued as both teams traded points in a thrilling conclusion. Ultimately, Campbellsville clinched the victory in an exhausting five-set battle.
The Tigers return to action on Tuesday, February 25, at 6 p.m. ET, going to Oakland City University.
