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BENU Defeats WU Second Straight Match
Posted: Mar 18, 2024

BENU Defeats WU Second Straight Match

Benedictine Mesa executed a comeback to secure a road victory at Westcliff in an exhilarating five-set match.  It was the Redhawks' second consecutive California Pacific Conference win over the Warriors, having won in straight sets in Mesa, Ariz., on March 9.  BENU dropped a 3-0 decision against No. 2 The Master's in between the two conference wins over WU.  In the opening set, the Warriors, ranked No. 14 in the recent NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, initially surged ahead, but BENU, which received votes in the national survey, swiftly countered to seize the lead. Despite the spirited fightback, the Redhawks succumbed to a late surge from Westcliff, conceding the set 21-25.  The second set saw BENU take an early lead, only for WU to draw level before a crucial five-point run propelled the Redhawks ahead and secured a narrow 25-23 victory.  Although the Redhawks dominated early in the third set, the Warriors staged a comeback, ultimately edging out BENU in a fiercely contested set, 29-31, giving them a 2-1 advantage.  Undeterred, the Redhawks stormed back in the fourth set, establishing an early lead and maintaining control to clinch a 25-21 win and force a decisive fifth set.  In a tense finale, WU gained an early advantage, but the Redhawks battled back, fueled by Dapre Rogers' record-breaking 34 total kills. A crucial five-point run, highlighted by a game-winning kill from Josh Beymer, sealed a dramatic 15-13 victory for Benedictine.

Rogers set a new BENU kill record with 34 kills, boasting an impressive .448 hitting percentage, along with two blocks and a team-high 20 digs, Jackson Walsh contributed seven kills with a team-high hitting percentage of .462, complemented by 4 blocks, and Gehrig Tolman orchestrated the offense with 46 assists and added two blocks to his impressive performance.

For WU, Gabriel Pizza knocked down 26 kills to go along with a team-high 13 digs.  Tom Dempsey (12) and Connor McCann (10) also reaching double digits.  McCann added five blocks on the night.  Pawel Tuz was stellar guiding the offense, handing out 50 assists.

 

RECENT RESULTS

Tuesday, March 12

Saint Katherine 3, Hope International 0 | Box Score

USK: 8-6

 

Thursday, March 14

No. 2 The Master's 3, (RV) Benedictine Mesa 0 | Box Score

BENU: 7-9

Hope International 3, Simpson 1 | Box Score

SU: 3-11

 

Friday, March 15

UC MERCED 3, PACIFIC UNION 1 | Box Score

UCM: 6-1, 8-11

PUC: 2-5, 3-7

(RV) BENEDICTINE MESA 3, No. 14 WESTCLIFF 2 | Box Score

BENU: 5-2, 8-9

WU: 5-2, 11-5

SAINT KATHERINE 3, PARK-GILBERT 0 | Box Score

USK: 5-2, 9-6

PARK: 0-7, 0-12

 

Saturday, March 16

UC MERCED 3, SIMPSON 2 | Box Score

UCM: 7-1, 9-11

SU: 1-6, 3-12

(RV) BENEDICTINE MESA 3, SAINT KATHERINE 0 | Box Score

BENU: 6-2, 9-9

USK: 5-3, 9-7

No. 14 WESTCLIFF 3, PARK-GILBERT 0 | Box Score

WU: 6-2, 12-5

PARK: 0-8, 0-13

 

Sunday, March 17

SIMPSON 3, PACIFIC UNION 0 | Box Score

SU: 2-6, 4-12

PUC: 2-6, 3-8

 

 

UPCOMING MATCHES

Tuesday, March 19

No. 14 Westcliff at No. 1 Vanguard

 

Thursday, March 21

No. 4 Ottawa (Ariz.) at UC Merced

 

Friday, March 22

No. 14 WESTCLIFF at UC MERCED

SAINT KATHERINE at SIMPSON

 

Saturday, March 23

SAINT KATHERINE at UC MERCED

(RV) BENEDICTINE MESA at PARK-GILBERT

No. 14 WESTCLIFF at PACIFIC UNION

 

Sunday, March 24

SAINT KATHERINE at PACIFIC UNION

No. 14 WESTCLIFF at SIMPSON