KENOSHA — The No. 5 Carthage College men's volleyball team and Illinois Wesleyan traded momentum throughout the match before the Firebirds prevailed in four sets. Carthage surged ahead early behind Ben Heise in the opening frame, answered a second-set push by the visitors, then seized control late in the fourth as Ruben Emmerich's serving fueled a comeback and a 27-25 clincher.

• Final Score: No. 5 Carthage 3 - Illinois Wesleyan 1 (25-22, 21-25, 25-12, 27-25)
• Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin - Tarble Arena
• Records: No. 5 Carthage 9-2 (1-0 CCIW), Illinois Wesleyan 12-4 (0-1 CCIW)

• Carthage built a 15-8 lead in the opening set, led by Ben Heise's three kills.
• Illinois Wesleyan went on a 7-3 run following a few service errors to cut the Carthage lead to three, making it 18-15. 
• The Titans continued to cut the lead, but Carthage would come away with the set. 
• The visitors took an early 9-6 lead, led by Ethan Kuziela's three kills. 
• The Titans continued to add to their lead, going up 22-16. 
• A kill scored by the visitors secured the set for the Titans.
• The Firebirds opened the third set with a strong 12-5 lead, led by another three kills from Heise. 
• Carthage closed the set on a 12-5 run, winning 25-12, led by Owen Hendricks and Heise with four kills. 
• The fourth set was close, with the score tied at four, 10, and 15. 
• Illinois Wesleyan used a 7-1 run to take a 22-17 lead; however, great serving by Ruben Emmerich gave the Firebirds the 24-23 advantage. 
• A bad set by Kuziela gave Carthage the 27-25 set win. 

• Ben Heise had a match-best 15 kills, followed by Ryan Bartz with 12 and Owen Hendricks with 11. 
• Ryan Morey chipped in with 41 assists while Hendricks finished the contest with nine digs. 
• The Firebird offense recorded a hitting percentage of .400 in set one (15 kills, 3 errors, 30 total attacks) and .667 in set three (14 kills, 0 errors, 21 total attacks).

• Carthage stays home playing No. 4 Cal Lutheran on Saturday, February 21, at 3 p.m.