KENOSHA, WIS.—The 2019 MCVL opener pitted the Carthage College men's volleyball team at home against Mount St. Joseph University on the eve of Spring Break on Friday. In danger of going to a fourth set, the Red Men came back from a 17-10 deficit in set three to secure a 26-24 win and a 3-0 sweep over the Lions.
 
Both squads finished dead even with 39 kills, but it was the Red Men who prevailed with a .234 hitting percentage against Mount St. Joseph's .152 figure. Carthage was led on offense by Evan Walsh's 10 kills along with a .292 hitting mark. Matt Slivinski was on Walsh's heels with nine kills while Conner Lilly posted a career-high seven kills, five blocks and tied for a team-leading .545 hitting percentage with Eric Winter.
 
Libero Kyle Cohan converted 17 digs to lead the defense, followed by Walsh's nine. Matt Reinsel posted a 35-assist performance while his counterpart Rey Sanchez tallied 37 for the Lions. Mount St. Joseph's Jason Hascher led all players with 14 kills.
 
Carthage improves to 13-1, 1-0 MCVL while the Lions fall to 4-11, 0-1 MCVL.
 
Red Men 3, Mount St. Joseph 0
 
The Red Men only mustered a .045 hitting percentage in the opening frame, which proved to be enough in a 27-25 decision over the Lions in the set. A .538 hitting percentage propelled Carthage in their 25-15 drubbing of Mount St. Joseph in set two, courtesy of Lilly's six kills and one block in the frame.
 
A 17-10 Lions lead in set three provoked a Carthage timeout. This paid dividends as the Red Men responded with a 16-7 run to secure a 26-24 win and 3-0 match sweep. Six Lions errors, combined with nine Red Men kills highlighted that late game run.
 
Carthage will host Trine University tomorrow, Saturday March 2 at 3:00 p.m.