CHICAGO—A pair of squads in pursuit of their first victory of 2021 took the floor as the Illinois Institute of Technology men's volleyball team traveled to Rockford for a Friday-night match. Patrick Dunne's career-high 14 kills propelled a Scarlet Hawks offense that posted a .330 hitting percentage, their highest mark since a 3-0 win over Maranatha Baptist on March 12, 2019.  Illinois Tech's efficient hitting secured them a 3-1 victory over Rockford. 

The Scarlet Hawks improve to 1-4, 1-4 NACC while Rockford falls to 0-6, 0-5 NACC.

Scarlet Hawks 3, Rockford 1

Illinois Tech never trailed in set one, where Easton Kays' five kills helped secure his team a 25-22 edge. The second set resulted in four Patrick Dunne kills, two Jackson Van Engen blocks, and 13 combined Regent errors. The Scarlet Hawks held a slim 15-13 cushion before they erupted for an 8-0 run that was capped by back-to-back block assists from Van Engen, which made the score 23-13. It was enough cushion for Illinois Tech in a 25-15 win in set two.

The Scarlet Hawks dug themselves out of a 23-18 deficit in set three to force extra points, but couldn't secure the match sweep in a 30-28 loss in the frame. 

Just one attack error was committed by Illinois Tech in the fourth frame as they registered a .500 hitting mark on 13 kills. Six different Scarlet Hawks notched kills in the fourth set, which resulted in a 25-16 victory over Rockford.

Freshman Lucas Guanes finished the contest with a season-high 40 assists and 16 digs for Illinois Tech, while Jackson Van Engen and Deimantas Gilys tied for a team-high four blocks. 

James Davenport led Rockford with 13 kills.

The Scarlet Hawks will return to action on Friday, March 12 at first-year program Wisconsin Lutheran. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.