Men’s volleyball team defeats Adrian in four sets for first-ever MCVL win

OLIVET, Mich. – The Olivet College men's volleyball team defeated Adrian College in four sets this afternoon at The Cutler Event Center in Olivet. After losing the opening set 25-20, the Comets won the next three sets 25-21, 25-14, 25-20 for their first-ever Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League victory.

The Comets broke several single-match records. Sophomore Luke DeWitt set new benchmarks in kills (19), attack attempts (48) and total blocks (seven). Sophomore Talen Schallhorn broke the record with 32 set assists. Senior Blake Burk is the new record-holder with 18 digs. Olivet broke single-match team records for kills (35), set assists (32), total blocks (13.0) and assisted blocks (18).

Olivet led the first set by six points, 12-6. The Bulldogs reeled off six straight points to tie the set at 12-12. The Comets then took a 17-15 lead before Adrian scored six consecutive points to go up 21-17. The Bulldogs did not give up the lead for the remainder of the set.

After a pair of ties at the start of the second set, 1-1 and 2-2, Olivet took the lead 3-2 and did not relinquish it for the rest of the set. The Comets led by as many as nine points, 22-13, following a service ace by Schallhorn. The Bulldogs closed to within three points, 24-21, before a serve into the net handed the set victory to Olivet.

Olivet had the advantage in the third set from start-to-finish. Adrian controlled most of the fourth set, holding a 15-12 lead. The Comets battled back to force a 15-15 tie. The Bulldogs scored three of next four points to take an 18-16 lead. Olivet then went on a 4-0 run, including two aces and kill for sophomore Rhett Pringle, to take the lead for the first time 20-18.

Adrian scored the next point but the Comets responded with four straight points to set-up match point, 24-18. The Bulldogs got one point before a kill by DeWitt ended the match in Olivet's favor.