The Dordt men's volleyball team split matches during their second day in Arizona. The Defenders swept the Park-Gilbert Buccaneers but fell to the No. 7 ranked Benedictine Mesa Redhawks, 3-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One - Dordt vs Park-Gilbert
The Defenders played a complete match against Park-Gilbert in Gilbert, Arizona this afternoon en route to a 3-0 sweep. The first set went back and forth for the first couple points until Park was able to pull out to a 5-2 lead. After a kill from
Kai Chapman and a block from
Joel Van Groningen and Lancer Vermeer, the Defenders brought the set to within one but were unable to tie it up as Park's Jake Burdick recorded a kill and Dordt committed an attack error. After a Park kill from David Shafer, the Defenders found themselves trailing 11-8 until they were able to rally four straight points capped off by another
Kai Chapman kill. Both teams traded points until Dordt went on a 12-4 run to win, 25-17.
Once again, both teams traded points to start the second set but Dordt found themselves on top with a 7-5 lead. The Defenders went on an 8-4 run to extend their lead, 15-9. Park attempted to make it close as they were able to score three straight, making the score 19-14. Dordt would then score six of the last seven points to take a 2-0 set lead.
Unlike the first two sets, Dordt got out in front early as they would start with a 10-4 run. The Defenders were in firm control of set three as a bad set by Park would give Dordt a 17-7 lead. Park would eventually climb back into it, only finding themselves with a seven point deficit but that would prove to be too much as
Spencer Franken and
Daniel Saunders blocked Azzlyn Potts' attack to finish the set, 25-17 and secure the sweep.
"In this match we were able to compete at a high level and demonstrate consistency in many areas of our game. Kai Chapman played incredibly well as an attacker. Lukas Van Groningen ran a wonderful offense. Cade Schmidt and Lance Vermeer were very effective in their attacking as well. Once again, our Defender Nation fans showed up in force which made for a wonderful environment."
- Chad Hanson, Head Coach
By the numbers:
- Dordt hit .337 (38 kills, 83 total attacks, 10 errors)
- Park-Gilbert hit -.014 (18 kills, 74 total attacks, 19 errors)
- Dordt recorded eight blocks
- Park-Gilbert recorded five blocks
- Kai Chapman lead the Defenders with a career high, 15 kills
- Cade Schmidt had seven kills
- Lance Vermeer had six kills
- Lukas Van Groningen came away with 30 assists
Game Two - Dordt vs No. 7 Benedictine Mesa
Dordt had a tough challenge as they were tasked with facing the number seven ranked team in the NAIA, Benedictine Mesa. The Redhawks were as good as advertised as they were able to sweep the Defenders while also hitting above .400 for the game. Although Dordt still put up a good fight as they kept in close, trading lead throughout the first half of set one. Dordt found themselves with a 11-9 lead after
Cade Schmidt recorded a kill. The Redhawks would go on a 5-1 run to take the lead back and then a 7-0 lead to make the score 22-15. Dordt tried to fight their way back but an attack error would give Benedictine Mesa a 1-0 lead.
Once again, both teams would trade points throughout the first half of set two before Benedictine Mesa would slowly pull away. After
Andres Guzman recorded a kill, making the score 13-11. The Redhawks would score five straight, extending their lead to 18-11. Once again, Dordt attempted a comeback with a 4-1 run capped off by a
Cade Schmidt kill, but they were unable to as Jack LeDuff ended set number two with a kill.
Set three remained close the entire time as neither team could create a comfortable lead. The largest leads of the set were a 9-5 Benedictine lead and a 19-15 Benedictine lead. Dordt cut into the 19-15 lead with a 4-1 run, bringing to within one of tying. Dordt forced an attack error two points later to tie it up at 21 and then a kill by
Joel Van Groningen would tie it up at 24 to force extra points. A kill from Dapre Rogers and a Defender attack error would give the Redhawks' a win in their season opener.
"This match tested our ability to play at a high and consistent level against a team that was performing at a high and consistent level. I was really pleased with our response in the third set nearly extending the match. Though this match did not go the way we wanted, we learned some valuable lessons and demonstrated flexibility in our rotational options which will help prepare us for future matches. The gym was alive with outstanding support from Defender Nation, once again. With a short night of rest, we look forward to competing in our final match of our four match road trip."
- Chad Hanson, Head Coach
Dordt's record after both games today is now 2-1 and they will finish out their four game stretch in Arizona tomorrow, against (RV) Arizona Christian.
By the numbers:
- Dordt hit .141 (29 kills, 78 total attacks, 18 errors)
- Benedictine Mesa hit .429 (44 kills, 77 total attacks, 11 errors)
- Dordt recorded three blocks
- Benedictine Mesa recorded five blocks
- Cade Schmidt lead the Defenders with 10 kills
- Lukas Van Groningen recorded 18 assists
- Daniel Saunders recorded a career high, nine assists
