Eagles Secure Dramatic Reverse Sweep Against Bees

Davenport, IA - In a thrilling Men's volleyball matchup that extended to five sets, the Judson University Eagles clinched a narrow victory over the St. Ambrose Fighting Bees on March 25 in Davenport, Iowa. The final showdown ended with the Eagles triumphing 3-2 after a tense battle.

From the start, the game set a dramatic tone with the Eagles falling behind after losing the first set 23-25. The tension was palpable as the Eagles fought to level the playing field. Yet, in another close set, it was St. Ambrose again taking things 25-23. Refusing to go quietly into the night, the Eagles took set three 25-18. 

Now, with the momentum, JU evened things up by taking the fourth set 25-15. 

All square, the Eagles were flying high going into the fifth set in the race to 15 points. However, the fifth set brought the highest suspense, to where 15 points was not enough to decide a winner. But, by enduring some big rallies, it was the Eagles claiming the win, and closing things out in a nail-biting 19-17 win for Judson.

Key players significantly contributed to this hard-fought victory. Notably, Elijah Gregg emerged as a major force, leading the team with an impressive 24 kills and contributing 2 blocks. Mason Snodgrass followed closely with 20 kills, while Oracio Martinez totaled 9 kills and 7 digs, showcasing a well-rounded performance. Jackson Otto set the pace for defensive plays with 16 digs and chipped in importantly with 2 aces, while Elijah Wrobel orchestrated the attacks with 54 crucial assists.

The match was marked by a memorable moment where the Eagles, initially down by two sets, executed a phenomenal reverse sweep, sparking roars from the supportive crowd. This victory not only highlighted their resilience but also improved their season record to 11-10, with a 5-3 conference standing. With just a few games remaining in the regular season, JU is on a current 3-game winning streak. 

Looking forward, the Eagles are set to face the Tigers at Olivet Nazarene on March 27. The team will undoubtedly seek to carry forward their momentum and clinch another victory to advance further in their season.