COSTA MESA, Calif. - Vanguard University (5-2, 3-1) hosted the reigning National Champions Benedictine-Mesa on Friday night in an exciting five set match, where the Redhawks came out on top. The Lions entered their fourth conference game against the eight ranked Redhawks on a three game win streak, all of which came on the road.

The first set was a testament to strong match up between the two teams, with the lead consistently going back and forth between the pair. It wasn't until a kill from Cody Watts (FR/Clovis, CA) which took the lead 9-7 that the Lions were able to extend their lead by more than one point. A block from Christian Nowtash (SO/Vista, CA) forced an attacking error from the Redhawks and allowed the Lions to increase their lead 10-7. Benedictine then began to build momentum and managed to snag the lead 11-10. Once again the lead continued back and fourth between the two teams. The Pride did manage to get back the lead 16-15 after a kill from Alejandro Hernandez (FR/Hacienda Heights, CA) and kept it all the way to the final set point, which was secured by a kill from Nowtash.

The Lions dominated over the Redhawks at the beginning in the second set, where they tallied the first two points. Slowly building their lead, Bryce Thompson (SO/Los Alamitos, CA) had two service aces that extended the Lion's lead to a four point differential. A block from Kyle Anema (SO/La Mirada, CA) and Nowtash denied the National Champs from scoring, and a pair of kills from Watts puts the Lions ahead 16-9, forcing Benedictine to call a time out. An error from the Redhawks then lengthened the Pride's lead by 10 points. After a kill from Nowtash set up the set point for the Lions, Anema secured the second set 25-16 with a kill of his own.

The third set began like the first set with the lead switching between the teams. The Lions managed to get away with a three point lead off a kill from Anema. Benedictine closed in by one point 7-6, but Vanguard pulled away again with a kill from Hernandez off an assist from Thompson. The Redhawks tied up the game 13-13 and took the lead 14-13 after an error from Vanguard. Benedictine managed to get ahead 23-19, as the Pride slowly began their comeback and narrow the lead by one point 24-23. The Lions attempted to make a run at the win and rallied, but the reigning Champions took the third set 25-23.

Entering the fourth set, Benedictine quickly took the lead and expanded their point differential by seven points 11-4. Coming from behind, Anema went on a four point run to narrow the Redhawk's lead 13-12. Benedictine pulled away with a four point lead, but the Lions continued to battle and closed in to only trail 21-20. Thompson forced an error from the Redhawks to tie the game 23-23 and with Benedictine leading 25-24 off an error, the Lions were able to tie the game again and took the lead 26-25 that forced a timeout from the Redhawks. Benedictine then took the lead 27-26 and Nowtash tied the game 27-27, but the 2019 Champions secured the the win 29-27 after relying on their experience from last year.

The Lions met the Redhawks 1-1 at the start of the fifth set and continued to keep the lead within close range. The National Champions extended their lead 8-6 and forced the switch, where a kill from Watts kept the Lions within range 9-7. An error from the Redhawks created a one point game for Vanguard and Dylan Garcia (FR/Los Angeles, CA) forced an error to tie the set 11-11. Benedictine collected their matchpoint 14-11 and took the win 15-12.

"I am proud with how we responded to some adversity tonight," said Head Coach Brad Rostratter. "Obviously it was not the outcome we were hoping for, but we showed an ability to play some high-level volleyball and as we grow, as a unit we will be able to become more consistent with that and sustain it for an entire match."

Anema had a season high of 27 kills and .263 hitting percentage. Nowtash had a total of five blocks with thirteen kills and a hitting percentage of .286. Thompson recorded a game high 52 assists, while three Lions (Anema, Thompson, Cameron Way) each had 11 digs.

Next Match: Saturday, February 8 at UC San Diego at 7:00 p.m.

#ClawsUp