KENOSHA, Wis. – Carthage College stayed perfect on the young season in 2019, as the #3 Red Men defeated Aurora University in the home opener at Tarble Arena Wednesday night, 3-0.
 
The win moves the Carthage men's volleyball team to 4-0 on the year, while the Spartans fall to 0-3.

"Nice getting a win, but we did not play well," said head coach LJ Marx after the win.  "Aurora played great defense and challenged us in ways we haven't seen yet this year.  They exposed a few of our flaws but it is always great to get a win and learn what you need to get better at."
 
The Red Men had to battle back late in each of the first-two sets, including facing three set points in the opener.  It looked as though the Red Men were going to storm off with a rout in the third set, but Aurora continued to battle and tied the third at 20-20.  Carthage then went on a 3-0 run and finished off the sweep.
 
A sloppy performance from the service line for Carthage, which registered 16 service errors, was made up for on the receiving side, limiting the Spartans to just one ace in the match.  The Red Men finished with five aces, including a pair from Kai Cromwell.
 
Three Red Men finished in double-figures for kills thanks to Matt Reinsel, whom registered a season-high 43 assists in a three-set match.  Leading the way for Carthage on the attack was Matt Slivinski with 12 kills followed by Braeden Waumans and Evan Walsh with 11 each.
 
Cromwell led the defense with ten digs and Connolly continued the block party with four on the night.
 
As a team the Red Men hit .233 with 44 kills and 17 attack errors to the Spartans' .149, whom had 37 kills and 22 errors.
 
The Red Men will return to action on the road for their next two matches with Carthage playing