The Dordt Defender men's volleyball team lost a 3-0 decision to no. 2 ranked Menlo on the road on Tuesday night in California.
Dordt was fighting from behind most of set one and trailed 15-13 after a
Luke Nelson kill. Three straight by Menlo made it 18-13 but Dordt got three in a row back, capping the run with a
Caleb Kulesza kill to get within 18-16. The difference was still 22-20 after a Menlo attack error but Menlo scored three of the next four points to win 25-21.
Set two was even at 8-8 before the hosts went on a 7-0 run to lead 15-8 and Dordt's rallies came up short 25-17. Dordt battled in set three and led briefly 9-8 after an attack error and the scored was tied on several occasions up to 17-17 when
Andres Guzman tied it with a kill. Three straight points by Menlo put them in position to get a sweep and Dordt was never closer than two in falling 25-21.
THE NUMBERS
- Menlo had a .307 kill efficiency to Dordt's .157 and Menlo had a 49-25 kills edge.
- Menlo had three points from blocks to Dordt's one and Menlo had a 5-1 ace serves advantage.
- Caleb Kulesza led Dordt with nine kills and Brady Frost had seven.
- Lukas Van Groningen had 23 assists and Robert Piekarz 10 digs in the loss.
- Dordt is now 12-2 and will face UC Merced on Wednesday.
COACH CHAD HANSON SAID
"We played against a very strong Menlo team that kept the rally alive and continued to swing back at us. If we didn't terminate the ball on our first opportunity the chances of doing so became fewer as the rally continued. This match was a challenge for us and one that we needed right now to help toughen up our skills and mindset. I'm grateful for what this trip has allowed us to experience together and we will move forward united for our next match."
