UHSP regroups to go the distance against Dordt, but Defenders prevail

ST. LOUIS, MO – Falling behind two sets to none, the Eutectics mounted a furious rally to force a fifth set against another conference foe in Dordt. The Defenders eventually claimed the match winning 25-12, 25-15, 23-25, 23-25, 15-12. It was another close match for the Eutectics in their first ever match against the Defenders.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

• Dordt had just two hitting errors in the opening set against 14 kills for an impressive .462 attack percentage. UHSP had nine kills against six errors (.100). The Defenders scored the match's first five points and led the opening set wire-to-wire.
• The Eutectics nearly had twice as many hitting errors in the second set than kills (11 errors, 6 kills). The Defenders were not quite as electric on offense as their first set, but had ten kills to four errors (.250). A pair of early DU errors gave UHSP their first lead of the match at 2-1, but the lead was short lived. UHSP trailed 7-6 after a Grant Hoover kill. Dordt rolled off 12 of the next 15 points to lead 19-9.
• UHSP had their most productive set in the third swinging at a .290 clip (15 kills, 6 errors). Dordt had 13 kills to six errors (.212). The set was tied at the first eight possible junctures. Three more ties eventually brought the score to 15-15. A Cooper Hansen kill followed by a pair of DU errors gave UHSP a lead they would never relinquish. Eventually tied at 23-23, kills by Hoover and Hansen put the set in the Eutectics' column.
• UHSP jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the fourth set with the only earned points coming off a Dickson Colado kill and an RJ Dilks ace. The Eutectics maintained that lead all the way to the end of the error-filled set as each team had nine attack errors. Five service errors by Dordt in the set were specifically key to sending the match to a decisive fifth set.
• Hoover recorded a kill that tied the fifth set at 4-4. DU went on an 8-2 run that put them in front 12-6. At 13-8, UHSP pulled with one at 13-12 scoring four straight thanks to a Dilks kill and three Dordt errors. Cade Schmidt followed with a kill and a subsequent UHSP hitting error gave the Defenders the match.
• Dordt had 11 more kills on the match and ten fewer hitting errors than the Eutectics resulting in a .216 hitting percentage to UHSP's .061.
• Hoover paced the Eutectics attack with 17 kills
• Xavier Gamayo had a team-high 12 digs and RJ Dilks recorded 37 assists.
• Cade Schmidt had a game-high 18 kills for Dordt.
• Lukas Van Groningen had 48 assists and ten digs.

UP NEXT:

The Eutectics (3-6, 1-4 HEART) will head into a Wednesday road trip to nationally-ranked Missouri Baptist (9-2, 5-0 HEART) who are off to another terrific start. The Spartans defeated Dordt on Friday night and then took down Morningside on Saturday morning. UHSP will enter that match riding a four-game losing streak.