Southfield, Mich. – Men's Volleyball began the 2026 postseason with a WHAC Quarterfinal matchup against #RV Lawrence Tech University. The Blue Devils managed to grab the fourth seed in the six-team tournament with a conference record of 12-6 and an overall record of 16-7. The Golden Eagles ended the regular season with a WHAC record of 9-9, while their overall record sat at just 10-15.
The first set was a Blue Devil show, as they held Cornerstone to just four kills and 10 points. Lawrence Tech took set one with a score of 25-10. The Golden Eagles rallied together in set two and got back to some offense. They led 23-22, but the Blue Devils pulled it back and took set two 25-23. Cornerstone could not get much going in the third set, as they only tallied four kills in set three off of 23 attacking attempts. The Blue Devils completed the home tournament sweep with a third set score of 25-16 over Cornerstone.
The conclusion of the season for Men's Volleyball may not have been what the team wanted, but a strong starting lineup will head into next season. The Golden Eagles graduate just one senior in Andrew Galanes, and will look forward to new recruits and new challenges in the 2027 season.
Game Recap – Cornerstone – 1 #RV Lawrence Tech – 3 (10-25, 23-25, 16-25)
First Set: Cornerstone – 10 Lawrence Tech – 25
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After the opening two points headed the Blue Devils' way, Matthew True got the first kill for Cornerstone. Lawrence Tech led 2-1.
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Lawrence Tech kept the momentum on their side of the court with a 4-0 run that forced Cornerstone into an early timeout. The Blue Devils led 9-3.
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A kill from Ryder Roberts ended the extended run for Lawrence Tech, but Cornerstone remained behind with a large deficit to make up 14-4.
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Cornerstone were forced into their final timeout of set one as the Blue Devils took a 13-point lead 18-5.
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Braeden Schripsema got the sixth point of set one for the Golden Eagles, but the Blue Devils remained on top 18-6.
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The service ace by Kyle Hortness sought to loosen the hold Lawrence Tech had on the set, but Cornerstone had a large hill to climb down 18-7.
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Cornerstone were unable to battle their way back into the first set, as the Blue Devils wrapped it up 25-10.
Second Set: Cornerstone – 23 Lawrence Tech – 25
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The second set began for Cornerstone with kills from Braeden Schripsema and Andrew Galanes that kept set two tied up 2-2.
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The lead went Cornerstone's way early on with a kill from Andrew Galanes that made it 3-2.
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Ethan Walker and JeQuarri Shannon put up the block that shut down the Blue Devil offense and helped Cornerstone retake the lead 5-4.
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The kill by Matthew True handed the lead back to Cornerstone. He followed it up with another kill, this time off of the block that made it 11-10 for Cornerstone.
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A huge double block by JeQuarri Shannon and Andrew Galanes tied the second set back up 13-13.
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Two blocking plays by Lawrence Tech helped them to a 3-0 run late in the set. As Lawrence Tech led 19-16, Cornerstone took their first timeout of the second set.
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A Blue Devil attack error and another service ace from Kyle Hortness forced Lawrence Tech into their first timeout of the night. The Blue Devils still led 20-18.
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Andrew Galanes got two kills in-a-row, one thanks to a free ball over the net. It brought the score within one of the Blue Devils who stayed on top 21-20.
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Two big errors by the Blue Devils tied the set up 22-22.
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A kill off the block by Andrew Galanes put Cornerstone up 23-22 and forced the Blue Devils into their final timeout of the set.
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Despite the close battle in the second set, the Blue Devils rallied and wrapped up set two 25-23 over the Golden Eagles.
Third Set: Cornerstone – 16 Lawrence Tech – 25
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A triple block by Andrew Galanes, JeQuarri Shannon, and Ryder Roberts nabbed the first point for Cornerstone in set three. The kill by Ryder Roberts followed up a couple of Lawrence Tech errors and helped Cornerstone to a two-point lead 4-2.
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A smart push by Ethan Walker to the back corner kept Cornerstone up in set three 6-4.
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A 3-0 run by Lawrence Tech was ended by a Blue Devil service error. Cornerstone sat behind 9-8 as Lawrence Tech kept the energy high in set three.
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A set defining run of 4-0 by the Blue Devils extended their lead to six points 17-11 over Cornerstone.
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A service error by Lawrence Tech provided a slight lifeline for the Golden Eagles, who remained behind by eight points 23-15.
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Braeden Schripsema got the final kill of the 2026 Men's Volleyball season, but the Blue Devils swept the Golden Eagles at home with a third set score 25-16.
By The Numbers:
10/2 – Kyle Hortness led the way for Cornerstone in the setting department, as he tallied 10 assists on the night and two service aces.
6/6 – As it was a quiet night for the Golden Eagles, Andrew Galanes put forward six total kills and six assists, along with two total blocks.
3 – Both Ethan Walker and JeQuarri Shannon put up three blocks in the three set contest.
What's Next?
The conclusion of the season for Men's Volleyball may not have been what the team wanted, but a strong starting lineup will head into next season. The Golden Eagles graduate just one senior in Andrew Galanes, and will look forward to new recruits and new challenges in the 2027 season.
Volleyball Contact: Mason Young
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