COSTA MESA, Calif. - Vanguard (2-0) rose to the occasion their second ever home game on Saturday night against Springfield College (1-1), a team that has won five national championships in the last nine years at the NCAA Division III level. The Lions won went to the desisive set for the first time in program history, and came out on top in front of a raucous crowd in The Pit.

The Lions started well against the Springfield, managing to match their points. Dylan Garcia (FR/Los Angeles, CA) gave the Lions momentum that started with a block that forced an error on Springfield. An error from Springfield allowed the Lions to take the lead 13-12 for the first time in the match. The lead moved back and forth between the two teams, but Cody Watts (FR/Clovis, CA) managed to put Vanguard back in the lead 20-19 off a kill that was assisted by Bryce Thompson (SO/Los Alamitos, CA). Watts and Thompson also had the block to put the Lions 25-24 and another block from Kyle Anema (SO/La Mirada, CA) and Watts secured the set at 26-24.

Anema stepped up for Vanguard in the second set, tying Springfield at two points early to set the tone. He was also able cut down their lead to only one point after the NCAA Division III managed to pull ahead of the Lions. Springfield managed to lengthen their lead 23-18, but Watts lead defensively to get a block and narrowed the Lions deficit. Springfield snagged the second set 25-19 after capitalizing offensively.  

The Lions dealt with a surge of momentum in the third set, as Springfield quickly took the lead 4-0. Vanguard began to close down the difference, as Anema tallied the score 10-8 off a kill. Springfield's blocks forced handling errors on Vanguard, but the Lions continued to power through and managed tie the game off an error at 17 points. Caleb Twyman (JR/Corona, CA)'s dig kept the ball alive and an error on Springfield's part allowed the Lions to take the lead 19-18. Vanguard took the lead again 23-22, causing Springfield to call time out. An error on Vanguard's part tied the game at 24-24, but Caleb Nowtash's kill moved the Lions back into winning position at 25-24. The Lions secured the win in the third set 26-24 off an assist from Thompson to Anema for the kill.

Vanguard earned the first point of the fourth set off a kill from Nowtash. Coming back from being down, a block from Watts narrowed Springfield's lead by one point. Vanguard continued to battle against the NCAA Division III powerhouse, and managed to extend their lead 12-9. The Lion's quick thinking and strong offense lead by Anema helped keep their lead. Watt's strong kill moved Vanguard's lead to 15-12. Fighting through a surge of momentum from Springfield, Vanguard stayed disciplined and kept their lead 16-14. Springfield did manage to take the lead 20-19, but Vanguard quickly tied the game back up off a kill from Twyman at 20 points. The Lions snagged the lead 23-22, but Springfield kept the match alive after winning the fourth set 26-24.

Vanguard struck quick in the fifth set and took the first point off a kill from Anema. Watts continued to narrow Springfield's lead with a kill and had a block the tied the set 3-3. The Lions continued to fight for the lead and managed to capitalize on Springfield's error. Vanguard lead 8-5 when the teams switched sides and continued to carry their lead. The Lions went on a 6-2 run which was capped off by Springfield, causing Vanguard to call for a time out. Springfield tied the game 12-12, but the Lions quickly gained back the lead off a service error. After Springfield caught up and was only one point behind the Lions, Anema stepped up and had the final kill that secured the match win for Vanguard 15-13.

"We made adjustments as the game went on and that's how we found success. The middle players were really effective tonight as the other team would start to catch up, other guys stepped up and helped out," Thompson said. "We found success just through our bench and the crowd. They really helped us out so when Springfield made a good play, we could give one back."

In total, Vanguard finished out the night with 48 digs, 56 kills, and 52 assists. Thompson clocked in with the most assists in the match at 50 and while Anema lead the Lions with 22 kills. Watts also had nine kills and .500 hitting percentage, along with five blocks.

Next Match: Wednesday, January 22nd against CUI at 7:00 p.m.

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