LISLE — The No.2 Carthage College men's volleyball team grabbed a straight-set victory over Benedictine (Ill.) on Saturday night, after an even attack and strong serving. The Firebirds pulled away late in each set, winning 25-16, 25-17, and 25-19. The Firebirds set the tone early in the match and maintained control throughout, taking advantage of timely kills and momentum-shifting plays.

• Final Score: No. 2 Carthage 3 - Benedictine (Ill.) 0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-19)
• Location: Lisle, Illinois - Rice Center
• Records: Carthage 6-0, Benedictine (Ill.) 2-3

• Carthage grabbed an 11-8 advantage in the opening set following a Benedictine (Ill.) attack error.
• A kill by Hudson Sweitzer later made it 15-12 before back-to-back kills from Ben Heise prompted an Eagles timeout.
• Ruben Emmerich delivered an ace to extend the lead to 23-15, and Cooper Cantwell finished the set with a kill in a 25-16 win.
• The Firebirds carried the momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 6-1 lead on another Sweitzer kill.
• Emmerich added an ace to push the margin to 18-9 for Carthage. Emmerich closed the frame with a kill as the Firebirds secured the 25-17 set victory.
• The third set featured early back-and-forth action as neither team gained separation.
• Heise evened the score at nine with a kill.
• Ryan Bartz followed with a kill to give Carthage a three-point cushion, forcing a home timeout.
• Benedictine (Ill.) closed within 21-18 after a combined block, but a block from Sweitzer and Ryan Morey set up match point for Carthage.
• Bartz capped the match with a kill, sealing a 25-19 decision.

• Ben Heise led the way for Carthage with 11 kills, followed by Ryan Bartz registering 10. 
• Hudson Sweitzer chipped in with eight while Ryan Morey tallied 31 assists in the contest. 
• Austin Mallory had seven digs while Owen Hendricks and Heise each had six. 

"What a great win on the road for us. A lot of guys played today and made a big impact on the result. Austin Mallory was great in reception today alongside Ryan Bartz and Owen Hendricks. Their ability to control the first contact put an insurmountable amount of pressure on Benedictine today.

Our setters continue to run a clean offense this year. Today, I was really impressed by how Ryan Morey spread the ball around well early. He moved to the hot hands as we established ourselves. Ben Heise, Ryan Bartz, and Hudson Sweitzer were dominant offensively today. I am proud of how we attacked all areas of the net and with range all over the court."

• Carthage heads east, playing Stevens on February 5 at 4 p.m. EST.