MEN’S VOLLEYBALL PICKS UP THIRD WIN IN SEASON FINALE

MCPHERSON, Kan. – Avila men's volleyball ended its inaugural season with its third win of 2026 in a tri at Central Christian, beating the Tigers in four after a close four-set loss to Hastings.

In the first game against Hastings, the Eagles picked up a first-set victory and nearly sent the match to a fifth set after losing 22-25 in the fourth set.

Sebastian Williams (12) and Sebastian Rodriguez (11) each had double-digit kills for Avila against Hastings and had a double-double with the pair adding 11 and 12 digs, respectively.

Darren Zheng with 12 was the other Eagle with double-figure digs for the Eagles against the Broncos.

Avila saved its best performance for the season's finale, picking up win No. 3 of the year against Central Christian.

The Eagles dominated nearly the entirety of the match against the Tigers.

Avila won the opener, 25-21.

After dropping the first point, Avila went on a 3-0 run and led for the remainder of the first set, stretching its lead to as many as eight.

The Eagles won three of the last four points to put the set away, highlighted by a kill from Williams.

A late Central Christian run in the second frame gave the set to the Tigers, but Avila was looking to end its season on a high note and would take the final two sets.

Avila led once again for nearly the duration of the third set and withstood a late Central Christian run to win 25-20 – capped by a kill from Rodriguez.

The fourth frame was another wire-to-wire victory for the Eagles, leading by as many as nine and taking two of the final three points to end the set, match and season.

Rodriguez ended the second match with 20 kills, and Williams ended his season with 18 against the Tigers. 

Lucas Strezo finished with 10 digs and Zheng led the squad with 11. Chase Kreitzer led the team with 19 assists and Alan Uncal-Ramirez ended the match with 17.

Head Coach Mekenna Clugston and her roster have laid the foundation for a successful program at Avila. With three victories for the first-year team, the staff and roster will continue to build as they head into the 2027 season after the groundwork has been set.

(photo credit: Ali Nassir)