Chicago, Ill. — Playing their first match at the Keating Sports Center since January 30th, the Illinois Tech men's volleyball team went the limit before finally taking down Concordia University Wisconsin with a 3-2 victory on Wednesday night. The Scarlet Hawks secured the win with a decisive 15-10 score in the final set, boasting a hitting percentage of .667 in that set.
Maximo Dowling finished with 25 kills and a .404 attack percentage for the Scarlet Hawks.
Illinois Tech holds a record of 2-9 overall and 1-1 in NACC play. The Falcons are 1-11 overall with a 1-2 record in the NACC.
How It Happened
Illinois Tech and Concordia Wisconsin started their match with Concordia Wisconsin quickly taking control. The Falcons built an early lead with kills from Tate Miller and Chase Ammons, reaching a 6-1 advantage. Illinois Tech responded with a couple of successful attacks by
Maximo Dowling, but Concordia Wisconsin maintained its momentum. The Falcons extended their lead to 18-11, aided by several attack errors from the Scarlet Hawks. As the set progressed, Concordia consistently capitalized on their offensive opportunities, with Chase Ammons securing the final point of the set at 25-17.
Illinois Tech edged out Concordia Wisconsin in a tightly contested second set, 25-22. Dowling was instrumental in the home team's success, contributing multiple kills, including the set-winning point from an assist by
Colten Farrell. Dowling was supported by consistent play from
Paul Henderson and
Tyson Haufschild, who each added crucial points to the scoreboard. The Falcons made a late push, closing the gap to 23-22, but the Scarlet Hawks held firm, with Farrell securing a pivotal point before Dowling's final kill.
The Scarlet Hawks secured the third set against the Falcons with a 25-19 victory. Dowling was instrumental, contributing multiple kills, including one from a
Samuel Goh assist at a crucial 13-11 advantage. Illinois Tech capitalized on Concordia Wisconsin's service and attack errors, extending their lead with a service ace by Goh to reach 21-14. Despite a late push by the Falcons, including a kill by Miller, the Scarlet Hawks closed the set with Dowling's decisive kill and an attack error from Owen Kolozsy.
Concordia Wisconsin secured the fourth set with a 25-20 victory over Illinois Tech. The set began with the Falcons taking advantage of early errors by Illinois Tech, jumping out to a 3-0 lead with contributions from Kolozsy and Reid Scott. Illinois Tech managed to pull even at 4-4, highlighted by a kill from Henderson, but Concordia quickly regained control, maintaining a lead throughout the set. Haufschild delivered a service ace to narrow the gap to 22-19, but Concordia's Parker Butterfass sealed the set with a decisive kill. The Falcons clinched the match by effectively capitalizing on the Scarlet Hawks' errors and consistent offensive plays.
In a tense final set, Illinois Tech edged Concordia Wisconsin 15-10 to secure the match. The set began with both teams exchanging points, highlighted by Dowling's two early kills for Illinois Tech. Farrell and
Jelani Kimoto each contributed key kills, keeping the score tight at 5-5. Illinois Tech then capitalized on several Concordia Wisconsin attack errors, including a block by Kimoto and Dowling that extended the home team's lead to 12-8. Henderson's consistent scoring, including three kills, helped maintain the momentum. The set concluded with Goh's decisive kill, sealing the Scarlet Hawks' victory.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Maximo Dowling
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- 25 kills on 52 attempts with a .404 hitting percentage
- 8 digs
- 27 points
Samuel Goh
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- 36 assists
- 10 digs
- 1 service ace
Paul Henderson
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- 12 kills on 26 attempts with a .231 hitting percentage
- 10 digs
- 13 points
Concordia Wisconsin Top Performers
Tate Miller
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- 11 kills
- 0.267 hitting percentage
- 3 total blocks
- 12.5 points
Hayden Hurley
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- 36 assists
- 8 digs
- 3.5 points
Owen Kolozsy
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- 12 kills
- 10 digs
- 13.0 points
Game Notes:
- Illinois Tech improved to 3-6 lifetime against the Falcons, winning the last two matches.
Up Next
Looking ahead, Illinois Tech will face Wisconsin Lutheran College on Saturday, Februarty 28th at 3 p.m. at the Keating Sports Center in another NACC battle.
