KENOSHA, Wis. – Just a few days after a challenging 3-2 win at Dominican, the Carthage College men's volleyball team (18-1, 8-0 Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League), ranked No. 3 in the March 1^st AVCA Top 15 Poll, returned to Tarble Arena on Saturday, March 5^th to take on the Eagles from Benedictine University (12-6, 6-1 MCVL).
 
Although both teams came out strong to start the first set, Carthage would take a commanding 18-8 lead about halfway through the set. The Red Men would eventually take the first set 25-13.
 
Benedictine struck first in the second set and took a quick 4-0 lead over the Red Men. After two points by Carthage, the Eagles went on a 5-1 run to extend their lead to 9-3. Later in the set with the Eagles leading 21-18, the Red Men made a four point run with Tony Allen serving to take the lead 22-21. A service error by Carthage on the next point would tie the game 22-22. Carthage's Will Craft would make two crucial kills on the next two points to earn the Red men a 24-22 lead. Although Kacper Mazurek's kill on the next point for Benedictine would only leave the Eagles trailing by one, Griffin Shields would put the set away with a kill to secure the 25-23 win over Benedictine in the second set, extending their lead to 2-0.
 
Both teams would come out in full force to start the third set. With the score tied 10-10, Carthage made a 7-2 run to take the lead 17-12 over Benedictine. Carthage would hold on to win the third set 25-16, securing the Red Men's 3-0 sweep of Benedictine.
 
As a team, the Red Men collected 47 kills, six service aces, seven blocks, 43 assists, 26 digs, and hit .378. Will Craft led Carthage in kills with 15, followed by Griffin Shields with 12 and Zach Lillig with nine. Shields also recorded four service aces. J.P. Tulacka made five total blocks, accompanied by Matt Reinsel with three and Lillig with two. Matt Reinsel compiled 39 assists and Marc Hansen and Reinsel each made six digs.
 
The Red Men return to play next weekend on Saturday, March 12th as they take on New York University at 11 a.m. and Stevenson University at 6 p.m. NYU and Stevenson will play each other at 4 p.m. All matches will take place at Tarble Arena.