QUINCY, Ill. – The Carthage College men's volleyball team (1-0, 0-0 MCVL) took on NCAA Division II opponent Quincy University at the Pepsi Arena in Quincy, Ill. on Friday, January 15^th.
 
A number of service errors on both sides started what would be a challenging first set for both teams. With the Red Men leading 10-9, the Hawks went on a five-point run to take the lead 14-10. One point later, Quincy would make another run to extend their lead to 19-11. Carthage would not be able to recover and would drop the first set 15-25 to the Hawks.
 
The Red Men started the second set on a higher note as they took an early 10-2 lead due to their strong offense and a number of attack errors by the Hawks. Carthage would make another four-point run later in the set to extend their lead to 20-9. Quincy could not stop Carthage as the Red Men would take the second set 25-18.
 
Both sides performed well to start the third set, yet Quincy would eventually take a 16-13 lead. A kill by Will Craft and blocks by Griffin Shields and Zach Lillig would earn the Red Men the lead again at 17-16. A few points later, the Red Men were able to extend their lead to 24-19 with two services aces and a kill by Shields, as well as a kill by Matt Reinsel. Carthage won the third set 25-21.
 
The fourth set was much of the same as the lead changed multiple times early in the set. The Red Men took an 8-6 lead over the Hawks and would not let the lead go for the remainder of the game. Carthage retained control throughout the set and won 25-20, securing their 3-1 win over the Hawks of Quincy University (15-25, 25-28, 25-21, 25-20).
 
"I am happy with how we turned it around following the opening set," said head coach L.J. Marx.  "Quincy is a Division II team.  So the reality is, win or lose, the result doesn't impact the possibility of post season consideration.  It was a great opportunity for us to play and to play at a high level and to find out what we are good at, what we are not good at.  And I think it will get us ready for the meat of our season which is against Division III and the conference."
 
As a team, the Red Men recorded 35 kills, eight service aces, 11 blocks, 33 assists, 32 digs and hit .284 in the four-set match.
 
Griffin Shields led the Red Men in kills with 12, accompanied by Will Craft with nine and J.P. Tulacka with 5. Shields also lead with four service aces on the night, along with Matt Reinsel with three and Craft with one. Zach Lillig recorded eight blocks in the four set match with Shields and Scotty Adamczyk earning seven and two blocks, respectively. Renisel made 31 assists and Marc Hansen completed 11 digs.
 
"Everyone played really well tonight," noted Marx.  "I was very happy with our freshman Matt Reinsel and his setting.  To be a freshman setter, basically the quarterback of the team, playing against a Division II team in his hometown, he did not let the extra pressures, jitters and nerves get to him.  But the guys all did a great job!  We talked all week about being good teammates when things are going well, and more importantly, when they are not.  And after the first set they did a great job of that tonight."
 
The Red Men return to play on Saturday, January 16^th at 4 p.m. as they continue their road trip at Lindenwood University (0-3) in St. Charles, Mo.
 
Looking ahead to tomorrow in St. Louis Marx said, "Lots of water and shoveling food down the hatch on the bus tonight as we continue on to Lindenwood.  We will have just enough time to get about eight hours of sleep and then we will be back at it tomorrow.  So we will find out if all the preseason conditioning pays off early in the year."