Eagles Wild Day Ends With Third Place Finish At NCCAA

Elgin, IL - On day two of the NCCAA National Tournament the Eagles were needing one victory to reach the championship match. On Friday, the Eagles went 1-1 with one pool play match remaining. 

One Saturday, JU took on Roberts Wesleyan University. To give the Redhawks credit, they came out firing in the match. They controlled the game from start to finish, and went on to win the match in a sweep 25-19, 25-20, 25-18. 

Mason Snodgrass led with 13 kills, and Elijah Wrobel had 26 assists. 

However, that match was just part of the story. With Judson, Roberts Wesleyan, and Oakland City all having 1-2 pool play records, it forced a three-way tiebreaker to see who would advance to the championship match versus Jessup University. 

In the tiebreaker, Judson faced off against Oakland City in the first tiebreaker. The tiebreaker was one set to 25 points, and the winner needing to win by two points. 

Judson, having already defeating Oakland City twice this season, came out playing well. While official stats do not count during these tiebreakers, Jacob Smith was one of the Eagles' leaders during the tiebreaker. He was a force in the middle of the attack both offensively, and coming up with a few blocks on defense. 

Advancing to the second tiebreaker, Judson was matched up once again with Roberts Wesleyan for the right to go to the championship. 

Unlike in the match earlier in the day, Judson started to find rhythm against the Redhawk attack. Elijah Gregg, Grant Shipley, and Snodgrass were all finding kill zones that were not open in the first meeting. 

The Eagles were able to get to the early lead when the teams switch at point 13. However, RWU made a comeback to where the tiebreaker was tied at 20 points. A controversial call was overturned, and went in favor of RWU giving them a lead, and really swinging the momentum late.

Roberts would win the tiebreaker 25-22 ending the Eagles' season. 

For the NCCAA tournament, Judson would finish in third place. 

Elijah Wrobel would be named to the NCCAA all tournament team. He was also named the inaugural NCCAA GP4L winner as well for men's volleyball. 

For his decorated career, Wrobel holds many school records that will not be soon forgotten. He also finished with 4,040 career assists. Per NAIA research, he is just the third person in NAIA history to record 4,000 career assists. Just a remarkable feet by an incredible representative of Judson athletics. 

Having the NCCAA National Tournament on campus grounds for the inaugural tournament was a tremendous accomplishment for the Eagles program, Judson athletics, and Judson University. To receive national recognition is a wonderful thing. As will be the case when Judson hosts the event next spring as well. 

But for now, we celebrate the inaugural event, appreciate a great effort by the team and coaching staff, and applaud a sensational career.