AURORA, Ill.  — Continuing non-conference action, the No. 7 Carthage College men's volleyball picked up another straight-set sweep defeating Aurora on the road. 

• Final score: Carthage 3 - Aurora 0
• Location: Aurora, Illinois - Thornton Gymnasium 
• Records: No. 7 Carthage 6-3, Aurora 2-5

 

• Carthage started the game with a 12-7 lead with a block from Carter Schmidt. 
• The Firebirds then used a 6-2 run to extend the margin to 18-9. 
• After Aurora made it a six-point deficit, back-to-back kills from Schmidt moved the score to 23-15. 
• The visitors went on to win the first set 25-21. 
• Both teams traded point for point early in the second until two kills from Zach Bulthuis and Schmidt moved the Firebirds in front 20-17. 
• Carthage took a two-set lead closing it out with kills from David Markes and Schmidt. 
• A kill from Kyle Radecki and a bad set for the Spartans gave Carthage a 7-1 start in the third. 
• After the home team rallied, cutting the advantage to three, three-consecutive attack errors and a block error for Aurora extended the Carthage lead to 18-11. 
• Later, Markes added another kill, moving it to 22-18. 
• The Firebirds closed the match with a kill from Ryan Cholewinski and an ace from Markes 25-19.    

• Carter Schmidt led the Firebirds in two categories: kills (13) and aces (5). 
• Gene McNulty had a match-best 26 assists while David Markes had five total blocks, one shy of his season-best. 
• McNulty also had three blocks. 
• Kyle Radecki and Zach Bulthuis added six and five kills, respectively. 

"What a gritty win on the road by our group. We blocked seven balls and out dug Aurora by eight. We talk a lot about "defense wins," and I'm so proud of our guys for buying into that philosophy. We were led in that department by David Markes' five blocks and Gene McNulty's seven digs. We are tough to beat when we step it up on the defensive side.

I was also incredibly proud of Carter Schmidt and Gene McNulty's leadership today. That leadership throughout has really begun to take us to the next level. Their ability to stay calm and keep our group moving forward has been a turning point for us.

Carter was elite today. In every phase of his game, he was elite. He scored points offensively and with his serve. But what I was most proud of today was his effort in serve receive and in the backcourt defensively. He can take over a match when he works for every point out there.

Kyle Radecki added to our day today with his offense in the backcourt. We have worked so hard on that phase of his game. If we can continue to get production from him behind the 10-foot line, we will have a lot of fun.

I am so excited to celebrate our 2022 National Championship on Friday against Stevens. This Stevens group is an incredible team and a great test for us in this phase of our year. I hope to see everyone on Friday to pack Tarble and have some fun with us!"


 

• Carthage returns home to face No. 1 Stevens on Friday, February 10 at 7 p.m.