WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The #1 seeded Erskine College men's volleyball team (1-0) defeated #5 Maranatha Baptist University (0-1) 25-23, 25-13, 25-14 in the opening match of the NCCAA National Championships in Carolina University's Williams Gym on Friday.
 
THE ESSENTIALS:
Conf. Carolinas Standings | Stats | Scores
Div. II Scores | Record Book | Conf. Carolinas Digital Network
 
THE SERIES
The Fleet and Sabercats had never faced off before today's match as MBU just recently joined collegiate men's volleyball beginning with the 2018 season.

THE MATCH
Set 1: The opening set was the most competitive of the day as the Fleet found themselves down 5-3 early to MBU. Trailing 15-13, the Fleet used a 4-0 run to capture the lead at 17-13, before offering the advantage right back to MBU who used a 5-1 run to lead 20-18. With the set tied at 23-23 a block error by MBU set up back-to-back kills from Jason Sall to give the Fleet the 25-23 win.
 
Set 2: For the Fleet, the second set went much closer to planned. Erskine jumped out to advantages of 6-3 and 12-6 in the opening half of the set and did not look back. The Sabercats only managed to score consecutive points twice while the Fleet enjoyed runs of 5-0 and 3-0 to secure a 25-13 victory.
 
Set 3: Using the second set's late momentum, the Fleet opened set three on a 8-1 run to put the set and match away early. Erskine won 25-14.
 
THE PLAYER
Kacper Rybarczyk helped the Fleet with a team-most 13 kills on just one error to hit .632%. In addition to his attack game, the freshman also enjoyed a well-rounded day with two service aces, six blocks (3 BS, 3 BA) as well as three digs.
 
THE TEAM
The Fleet's hitting percentage increased with every set finishing set three with an impressive .417 mark (13 K, 3 E, 24 TA) and for the match .366 (38 K, 12 E, 71 TA).

WHAT'S NEXT 
Erskine challenges #3 Ottawa University Arizona (0-0) as it continues NCCAA Pool Play as the tournament's top seed tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM.
 
If the Fleet beat the Spirit, the automatically qualify for Saturday evening's championship match which begins at 7:00 PM. If the Fleet lose, depending on other results they either play at 2:00 or 5:00 PM.
 
MORE ABOUT THE ERSKINE COLLEGE FLYING FLEET

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