The Dordt men's volleyball team defeated the Arizona Christian Firestorm by a score of 4-1 (25-22. 25-20, 22-25, 25-21). Dordt is now 3-1 overall and has tied the best start through four games in program history (3-1 in 2023).
"To wrap up our Phoenix trip with a win at Arizona Christian was meaningful and important to the start of our season. Our offense came alive again with great contribution from Joel Van Groningen, Cade Schmidt, and Kai Chapman leading us in kills. Lukas Van Groningen ran a wonderful offense while Brady Fergen and Cory Kuperus led us defensively. Defender Nation once again showed up to cheer us on. Their support through the week bolstered our success and created an environment like none other. We have been blessed by this trip and are excited to play in front of our home crowd in the De Witt Gym, next Saturday."
- Chad Hanson, Head Coach
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Defenders opened the first set trailing 4-2 after a kill by Jarrett Spartz. The match would go back and forth as both teams would trade points but Dordt was unable to string them together as Arizona Christian lead 8-5 after a Caleb Merlino kill. Dordt was able to get a point coming out of a Defender timeout but once again, ACU was able to get a side-out and extend the lead, 18-16. After two straight points from the Firestorm, a kill from Joel Van Groningen and a Firestorm attack error would bring Dordt within one. Dordt outscored ACU 6-2 to finish out the first set, 25-22.
After ACU scored the first two points of the second set, Dordt would score the next five out of seven points to lead 5-4. Two more kills from Lance Vermeer and Joel Van Groningen and an attack error from ACU's Caleb Merlino gave the Defenders a four point cushion with a 10-6 lead. Dordt would hold on to a steady lead for the remainder of the second set to take a 2-0 lead.
The Firestorm avoided the sweep after they struck first in the third set and would hold onto the lead for the rest of the set. ACU took a 12-7 run that loomed large as the Defenders would eventually go on a 4-1 run to bring the score to 16-15. Both teams traded points and ACU would hold on for a 25-22 win to force a fourth set.
Dordt started the fourth set hot as they would score the first five points of the set, forcing ACU to use their first time out early. Dordt would then go on a 9-3 run to lead 13-3 and would make ACU use their final timeout. Dordt lead by as much as 10 until ACU started climbing their way back into it. A Cade Schmidt service error sparked a 6-0 run from the Firestorm that made the score 22-18. Despite ACU's efforts, Dordt held on for the win after Joel Van Groningen recorded his 19th kill.
Dordt record is now 3-1 and they will host Viterbo in the De Witt Gym on Saturday, February 1.
By the numbers:
