Mishawaka, Ind. – Men's Volleyball headed down to Indiana to finish out the regular season against #13 in the nation, Bethel University. The Pilots held the top spot in the WHAC heading into the final week of regular season play with a conference record of 15-0, and an overall record of 17-4.
The first set was a close battle between the two teams, but one final push at the end by Bethel, a four-point run, nabbed them set one 25-21. Two service aces in a row by Patrick Burke in set two pushed Cornerstone into a decent lead in set two. The Golden Eagles took set two 25-23 over Bethel, the last two points came off of attack errors by the Pilots. The Pilots took set three and four to finish out the regular season with a home win over the Golden Eagles 3-1.
Cornerstone looks ahead to postseason action in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference. The first game of the postseason tournament will take place on April 14 at the sight of the higher seed. The top six teams in the WHAC will qualify for the tournament.
Game Recap – Cornerstone – 1 #13 Bethel – 3 (21-25, 25-23, 15-25, 20-25)
First Set: Cornerstone – 21 Bethel – 25
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Cornerstone began the set on top 2-0 thanks to a Bethel attack error and a service ace by Ryder Roberts.
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The second service ace of the night for Cornerstone came from Kyle Hortness who pushed Cornerstone ahead 6-5.
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A 5-0 run by the Golden Eagles saw them to a four-point lead 12-8, finished out by a kill from Braeden Schripsema.
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The Pilots fought back with a five-point run of their own and tied up set one 18-18.
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Bethel University finished out set one 25-21 after a late 4-0 run by the Pilots made it out of reach for the Golden Eagles.
Second Set: Cornerstone – 25 Bethel – 23
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Three kills for Matthew True were how Cornerstone began set two of action. The Golden Eagles held a marginal lead 3-2.
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Two service aces in-a-row by Patrick Burke helped Cornerstone climb ahead to a 9-5 lead over the Pilots.
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A 3-0 run by Bethel brought it back within one point of the Golden Eagles, who then followed it up with their own 5-0 run that gave them a six-point lead 18-12.
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Cornerstone kept Bethel at arms' length for the rest of the set and pulled through with a set two victory of 25-23 over Bethel University.
Third Set: Cornerstone – 15 Bethel – 25
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The beginning of set three was a back-and-forth affair, but the Pilots were able to push through it with a three-point run that gave them a two-point lead 8-6.
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Cornerstone continued to trail in set three, as Bethel University went ahead on another run of four points. The Pilots led in set three 17-11.
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The kill by Andrew Galanes finished the run by Bethel, but Cornerstone remained behind 17-12.
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The final point of set three for Cornerstone came off of an attack error by Bethel, as the Pilots went ahead and took the third set 25-15 over Cornerstone.
Fourth Set: Cornerstone – 20 Bethel – 25
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The fourth set saw a closer battle fought than set three, with teams trading points in the early stages. The kill from Matthew True kept Cornerstone within one point of Bethel 5-4.
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Another 4-0 run by Bethel helped them build their lead in set four of action 15-12 over Cornerstone.
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A kill from JeQuarri Shannon and a Bethel attack error brought it within one point for Cornerstone, but Bethel remained on top 17-16.
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The Pilots wrapped up the fourth and final set with four points in-a-row. Bethel University completed the home victory with a fourth set score of 25-20 and a set score of 3-1.
By The Numbers:
11/18 – Senior Andrew Galanes closed out his regular season with 11 kills, 10 digs, and 18 assists in the four-set contest
14 – Mitchell Carrera led the way in the digging department for Cornerstone with 14 total digs on the night.
21 – Kyle Hortness did his part with 21 assists, despite Cornerstone's tough defeat.
What's Next?
Cornerstone looks ahead to postseason action in the Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference. The first game of the postseason tournament will take place on April 14 at the sight of the higher seed. Cornerstone will hold the fifth seed in the tournament with a WHAC record of 9-9.
Volleyball Contact: Mason Young
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