Tigers Stop Eutectics’ Undefeated Streak

The Eutectic men's volleyball team's nine-game undefeated start to the season met with some resistance against the Campbellsville University Tigers (Ky.) on Friday on a neutral court at Missouri Baptist University. After a rocky first set, the Eutectics pushed the Tigers to the brink in Sets 2 and 3, but could not overtake the 9-4 Campbellsville team, falling 25-17, 26-24, 25-23.

The Tigers pulled ahead 5-2 after a couple of service aces from Joao Tavares in Set 1. The Eutectics were able to even the score at 9 and 10 apiece after two kills and a block from Marcus Parker during service from Grant Hoover. But, Alonzo Vega followed up with a kill with a service ace to put the Tigers up for good at 12-10. Up 18-16, the Tigers went on to win seven on the next eight points, with Vega serving up four of those points, to win the set at 25-17.

In the second set, an ace from Dickson Colado put the Eutectics up 5-4. Later, a kill and a service ace from Behymer gave the Euts a 12-9 edge. But, the Tiger hitters revved up their engines after that, tying it up at 18 apiece. The Purple and Gold followed up with a couple of kills from Colado, assisted by Cole Cwiklowski, along with a Tiger attack error to take a 21-18 lead. A Tiger timeout stopped the UHSP momentum to get Campbellsville within one point 23-22, but a set up from Cwiklowski gave the Eutectics' set-point at 24-22. Another timeout, however, turned out to be just what the Tigers needed. They returned to the court to win the next four points in a row and take the set at 26-24.  

Building on that momentum, the Tigers came out to a 6-2 lead in the third set. Following a Parker kill and a CU error, the Eutectics got within one point at 7-6. But, the UHSP team would continue to chase the Tigers for the rest of the set and never catch up. At 15-13, the Tigers went on a six-point run during Trevor Gruner's service, including three kills by Neels Paugels, to make it 21-13 – Tigers. The Eutectics followed up with a five-point run of their own, including a block by Behymer and Parker, an ace from Hoover, and a kill from Parker, to make it 21-18. Kills from Cameron Werner and Behymer, assisted by Cwiklowski pulled the Euts within one point at 23-22. But, again, a timeout by the Tigers killed the momentum and Campbellsville won the third set at 25-23 to win the match in straight sets.

Grant Hoover finished the match with nine kills, while Connor Behymer had seven and Marcus Parker picked up five kills and added three blocks. Xavier Gamayo and Dickson Colado had 10 and nine digs, respectively, while Colado added two aces. Setter Cole Cwiklowski finished with 28 assists in the match.

Neels Paugels led the Tigers with 13 kills on 27 attempts.

The Eutectics, now 9-1, will return to St. Louis to host the Missouri Baptist University Spartans for their first Heart of America Athletic Conference matchup on Monday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. in the UHSP gymnasium.