Box Score Hartsville, S.C. – Erskine needed just three sets (25-23, 25-20, 25-22) to beat the Cobras of Coker College this evening in Conference Carolinas men’s volleyball action at Timberlake-Layton Gym.

Trailing 5 to 6 in the first set, freshman Mike Kawa (Debica, Poland, Elk Grove High School) ignited a 7-2 Fleet run with a thunderous spike for a side-out and teammate Mike Michelau (Bristol, WI, Westosha Central High School) followed it up with back-to-back service aces as the Fleet sprinted out to a 12 to 8 advantage.

Coker eventually tied the game late and at 23 to 23, Erskine got assistance from the Cobras on a service error followed by a kill by Michelau for the game winner.

Leading 9 to 8, Erskine scored 7 of the next 9 points to jump out to a six point lead that Coker could not overcome to win the set 25 to 20.  Neal Stanley (Apopka, FL, Seminole State College) and Omar Melendez (San Juan, P.R.) both had kills in the run.

In the third set, Melendez’s kill gave the Fleet an early two point lead that they kept for the reminder of the set to win 25 to 22.  Michelau and Kawa punched the set’s last two points.

Michelau had a game-high 15 kills along with 6 digs and 2 service aces.  Kawa finished with 9 kills and six digs while setter Corey Marks (Southwest Ranches, FL, Archbishop Edward McCarthy High School) recorded 34 assists and 6 digs.

The Cobras were led by Devon Whitestone’s 10 kills while Luke Hanson had 9 kills.

Erskine (10-9, 7-6) has won five of their last six games, including 4 consecutive conference victories.

Erskine travels to Quincy, Illinois, this weekend to participate in the Quincy University Tournament.  The Fleet will play two games on Friday against Park University and Quincy University.  On Saturday, the Fleet will play Lindenwood University.