Eutectics Are Undefeated after Opening Victory over Panthers

ST. LOUIS, MO. – With the first serve just after midnight on Wednesday night, the Eutectic men's volleyball team kicked off the 2025 season hosting Greenville University in front of a large crowd in the UHSP gymnasium. The NAIA season officially opens for competition on Thursday, Jan. 23, and, with the 12:01 a.m. start, the Eutectics became the first NAIA team in the nation to compete this spring. After the straight-set victory over the GC Panthers from Greenville, Ill., (25-22, 25-14, 25-17) the UHSP team can now boast that they are the only undefeated NAIA team in the nation for at least the next 12 hours.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Not only was the event special because of the 12:01 a.m. start. The match was a significant first match for the Panthers, as well, who just reignited the men's volleyball program after a five-year hiatus.
• The first set was tight from the start, with both teams playing all out and matching scores several times. At 15-15, the Eutectics were finally able to pull ahead for good following kills from Zach Gavrick and Grant Hoover, along with a service ace from Cameron Werner. The Eutectics stayed just ahead of the Panthers to win the set at a close score of 25-22.
• The Eutectics dominated the second set, pulling ahead 15-2 after winning nine points in a row on Gavrick's serve, including two double blocks from Hoover and Xander Quenzer. The Panthers would never recover and lost the set with the lopsided score of 25-14.
• Greenville fought back early in the third set, holding the lead at 9-8 before a kill by Demetrius Allen (assisted by Hoover) put the ball in server Xavier Gamayo, who served up four points in a row for the Euts, who were able to hold onto the lead to win the third set at 24-17 and clinch the match.
• Cameron Werner and Grant Hoover each recorded 11.5 points. Werner had six kills, three aces, and four blocks, while Hoover collected eight kills, six digs, and five blocks. In his first match for the Eutectics, Zach Gavrick finished with seven kills and six digs. Setters RJ Dilks and newcomer Demetrius Allen split time with 11 and 14 assists, respectively. Freshman David Quinones led the team in digs with eight.   

NEXT UP:

With the first match behind them and a victory under their belts, the Eutectics will head into next weekend's Heart of America (HOA) Challenge as undefeated. UHSP will co-host the HOA tournament with Missouri Baptist University on Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, inviting six additional teams to travel to St. Louis to participate. It all starts Friday for the Eutectics when they take on Governor's State University (Ill.) at 5 p.m. in the UHSP gymnasium. They'll follow that up with a 7 p.m. matchup with Brescia University (Tenn.) and two more matches on Saturday versus St. Ambrose University (Iowa) and Lemoyne-Owen College (Tenn.) at 2 and 4 p.m.