Harrisonburg, VA – On Saturday afternoon, the Regent University Men's Volleyball team drove west for a tri-match with host Eastern Mennonite University and the University of Lynchburg. This would be a tough test for the young Royals program, but they were out to prove that they belonged in the conversation of Division III volleyball. Standing in their way were two strong ODAC programs who were also hoping to increase their profiles.
Game One
Regent fell behind early in the first set, but Junior Lucas Whitman (Suffolk, VA) settled things down at the service line to cut the deficit to 4-3. However, the Hornets rallied to increase their advantage to seven points, until Graduate Student Aaron Campbell (Virginia Beach, VA) stepped to the service line to generate points. A few plays later, Graduate Student Jaxson Gray (Chesapeake, VA) came up with a big block at the net to keep the Royals within striking distance. However, Lynchburg would go on to win the set, 25-13
A big kill from Freshman Preston Nemeti (Burke, VA) got things started in the second set to help Regent get the first two points. The score would eventually be tied, until Campbell hit a powerful kill to regain the lead. He would do it again after a long rally but the Hornets, once again, were able to tie the score. Campbell continued to create points and then a kill by Junior Keith Larkin (Snohomish, WA) forced a Lynchburg timeout. The Hornets attempted to cut into the deficit but blocks from Nemeti and Graduate Student Colby Yawn (Chesapeake, VA) kept the Royals in control, allowing a Gray ace to close out the set, 25-17.
A Whitman ace helped Regent jump out to a three-point lead to start the third set. However, Lynchburg was able to string together a few points to pull to within one, until a Gray block stopped the rally, allowing Campbell to control the momentum from the service line. Whitman kept the Royals in front with a kill but eventually the score was tied at 12-12. After another Campbell kill, Yawn delivered an ace to regain the advantage and then Campbell would do it again to help push the lead to four-points. The Hornets would rally again, but a Yawn block helped slow things down, however they unfortunately dropped the set 25-23.
Campbell would help Regent take an early lead in the fourth set with two strong kills. Eventually, the Royals were able to find their rhythm and take a seven-point lead and then plays by Campbell and Gray suddenly put them out in front 21-10. A few plays later, they would force an error to take the set, 25-13.
The fifth and final set saw Campbell put Regent out in front with a kill and then force a Lynchburg error. Yawn and Gray stood tall at the net and then a few plays later, Yawn set Campbell up for a big kill. Yawn would do it again, when he found Gray for the kill, to increase the advantage to five points and that is all they would need to win the match 3-2 (15-9).
Campbell led the team with 17 kills, while Yawn had a career high 36 assists. In addition, Junior Ariel Downer (Spring Lake, NC) added 17 digs, and Gray had a career high 5 blocks.
Game Two
EMU began the first set with the early lead, but a Whitman kill pulled the Royals to within one point. EMU answered with a kill of their own, but then a service error would give Regent the point. Just like in the first match, Campbell came out swinging and converted a kill into points, keeping the Royals withing striking distance. Nemeti and Whitman would keep the deficit to one point with two straight kills, however; eventually EMU would lead 10-7. Two more kills by Campbell and one by Whitman gave Regent momentum but EMU continued to have an answer, and they would win the set 22-15.
The second set saw both teams trading points as Campbell continued to control the net. Whitman also found ways to score points but eventually EMU was able to increase their advantage to 14-8. Yawn found Campbell for his 7th killsof the match to try to pull the Royals closer, but they would eventually fall 25-17.
Yawn and Whitman came out swinging in the third set, to keep the score tied. Both teams found ways to score and midway through the set EMU held a slim one-point lead, 11-10. A Whitman kill, along with EMU errors, kept the score close and two aces by Campbell cut the deficit to two points but EMU would win the match 3-0 (25-21).
Campbell finished with 10 kills, while Yawn recorded 24 assists. In addition, Downer added 15 digs.
Regent will be back in action on Saturday, February 15th when they hit the road to face Randolph College. First serve is scheduled for 1:00pm.
