BACK-TO-BACK WINS FOR MEN’S VOLLEYBALL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – For the first time in program history, Avila men's volleyball has won back-to-back games, defeating Central Christian in four sets on Friday night at Mabee Fieldhouse.

The Eagles started out hot, winning the first two sets 25-22.

Avila got in an early 5-1 hole in the first set, but slowly chipped away at the small deficit.

A 4-0 run late in the set gave Avila its first lead at 19-18. The Eagles won six of the final nine points, capped by a Trystan Edwards kill for set point to take the opener.

Avila was in another early hole in the second, trailing 6-1.

A 7-2 run tied the frame up and forced a Tigers timeout.

After taking an 11-10 lead, Avila would not trail for the remainder of the set.

A kill from Kenneth Reyes and a service ace from Darren Zheng gave Avila the set, 25-22 and a 2-0 match lead.

Central Christian took control in the third set as Avila was looking for a sweep.

Too many errors from the Eagles gave the set to the Tigers, who ended the frame on a 15-6 run.

Avila took control back in the fourth, taking a 4-0 run into a 5-3 lead. A 7-0 run from Central Christian put Avila back in a hole, but the Eagles would recover, taking eight of the next nine points.

A Sebastian Rodriguez kill at 24-22 gave Avila the set and the match, giving the Eagles back-to-back victories for the first time in program history.

Rodriguez led the Eagles with 16 kills – one off his season-best. Alan Uncal-Ramirez's 28 kills were also his second-highest total of his freshman season. 

Avila has a quick turnaround, taking on Ottawa, who is receiving votes in the latest NAIA poll, at 1 PM on Saturday.

 (photo credit: Shomari Finch)