Falcons Drop First Match of the Season

(London, Ontario) – The No. 1 Nationally Ranked Men's Volleyball team (5-1) was taken down by the Mountaineers (3-4) in five sets on Tuesday night.

Outside hitter Daniel Ridings (St. Catharines, ON) opened the match with a beautiful cross-court kill. Later, Alain Pineault (Windsor, ON) recorded two kills and secured back-to-back points for the Birds. Up 10-6, first-year Kaden Eybergen (Stratford, ON) hit a beautiful set from Matt Stechnicki (Guelph, ON) in the middle. Zack Admans (St. Thomas, ON), Elliott Leslie (London, ON), and Ridings extended Fanshawe's score with additional points. Ridings led the Falcons in the 25-16 set one victory, scoring seven points.

Set two began with multiple lead changes. Kills by Admans, Ridings, and Pineault riled up the home crowd. To even the score out at 17, Eybergen made a phenomenal block that dropped on the visitor's side. With a score of 24-20 and with Mohawk one point away from taking the set, Carter Pittuck (Chatham, ON) hit a great serve and then made a diving save to keep the Birds alive. Fanshawe brought the game back to 24-23, but Mohawk took the second set 25-23.

The Falcons took a commanding lead to start the third, but Mohawk stayed close throughout the set. Jayden Crowther (London, ON) recorded a great kill and block to keep the Falcons in the game. Third-year Tanner Patterson (Baden, ON) smashed a kill immediately after subbing into the match. Down 18-13, Crowther converted a huge spike. Fanshawe then went on to score four consecutive points and later took back the lead. Ultimately the Birds dropped set three 25-22.

Brilliant serving by Jack Voght (Ottawa, ON) and a block by Pineault gave the Birds a quick start in the fourth. A 5-3 advantage was secured by a huge Admans kill. Great defensive saves by Najeem Javeed (London, ON) did not give the visitors a chance. The Falcons took set three with ease by a score of 25-14.

The first three points for the Falcons in the final set were scored off kills by Admans. The next three Fanshawe points came from two Crowther kills and a Leslie ace. Up 8-6, Voght served a rocket which resulted in a clutch ace. Crowther recorded another kill to tie the set at 12, but Mohawk took the match and won set five 15-13.

On Saturday, the Birds will look to bounce back as they face Conestoga (5-1) on the road.