ST. MARY'S OF THE WOODS, Ind. – Just three years after starting the Golden Eagle men's volleyball program, Cornerstone walked into Saint Mary's of the Woods for their first ever men's volleyball match and spoiled the inaugural contest with a 3-0 sweep. SMWC is also an affiliate member of the WHAC, meaning that CU opens their season with a 25-16, 25-21, 25-18 conference win to move to 1-0, 1-0 WHAC. Cornerstone was a little short-handed in the opener but were able to fight through it to start the year on a high note. The team is right back in action for two more matches tomorrow, as they will play their second WHAC contest against Saint Mary's of the Woods at 11 a.m. and then play a neutral site game with the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis at 1 p.m.
Game Recap – Cornerstone – 3 Saint Mary's of the Woods – 0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-18)
Set One:
- A roll shot from the freshman Landon Waltz got CU their first point of the 2023 campaign earning an early kill.
- Landon Walz continued his outstanding start recording three of the first four points via the kill, as the two teams traded points early.
- After SMWC went on a 4-0 run to take a lead, David Galanes recorded a massive block to help CU respond with a 4-0 run of their own to regain an 8-7 advantage.
- The first year SMWC squad continued to show fight and energy early though taking a 13-10 lead.
- Cornerstone finally found a rhythm, going on a 9-2 run to lead 19-15 and force a Saint Mary's timeout. Errors helped CU, while Andrew Galanes got involved with his second kill of the day in the run.
- David Galanes would give CU the set one victory with a big kill as the Golden Eagles took the first set, 25-16.
Set Two:
- Early errors from the Golden Eagles allowed Saint Mary's of the Woods to jump out to a 5-0 advantage in set two.
- A kill from SMWC's Mark Zmojdzin continued to grow their lead, 11-4.
- The Andrew Galanes show powered Cornerstone right back. Galanes recorded three consecutive kills to help CU get on top for the first time in the set, 19-18.
- The experienced and clutch Golden Eagles continued their run after trailing 21-20. They scored the final five points of the set to steal a 25-21 set two victory. Cade Meza recorded a big service ace to help CU get out to a 2-0 lead.
Set Three:
- Cornerstone got off to a much better start in set three. Ethan Walker recorded a big block to go on top 7-4.
- Saint Mary's continued to battle however, tying the set at 10 all with a service ace and back-to-back kills.
- After trading points throughout the middle of the set, Cornerstone would score three of the next four points on kills from Ethan Walker and David Galanes to take a 16-14 lead.
- CU would increase their advantage to 19-16 on some SMWC errors forcing a timeout.
- Cornerstone's lead would not be relinquished, ending the set on a 5-1 run with a match clinching kill from Max Hernandez for the season opening sweep.
By the Numbers
12/12 – Freshman
Andrew Galanes led the team with 12 kills in the season opener, while transfer
Kyi Jagorin led the team with 12 digs.
4/10 –
Ethan Walker recorded four blocks as Cornerstone doubled-up Saint Mary's of the Woods with 10 as a team.
36 – SMWC combined for 36 attack and service errors during their first match in program history.
What's Next?
Cornerstone continues action at Saint Mary's of the Woods tomorrow with their second WHAC contest against them as well as a match with the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis
Contact: Jesse Campbell |
nathan-jesse.campbell@cornerstone.edu | 616-222-1505
CU Athletics: Twitter |
Facebook |
Instagram
Men's Volleyball: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
