MESA, Ariz. - The eighth-ranked Vanguard Lions (10-7, 6-3) finished up their two-game road trip with a rematch against sixth-ranked Benedictine-Mesa (14-7, 8-1) at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. The marquee matchup displayed the same intensity that the first matchup brought, but it was the Redhawks that came out on top with a four-set victory; 25-17, 22-25, 25-19, 25-22.
The Redhawks got out to an early 8-3 advantage but a beautifully placed kill and a solo block by Dylan Garcia (FR/Los Angeles, CA) would help tie the game up at nine. Both teams would go back and forth until a couple of attack errors would give Benedictine a 17-13 lead forcing a timeout by the Lions. A service ace by Bobby Henige would stretch the lead to six for the visitors. A kill by Cody Watts (FR/Clovis, CA) started a 3-0 run for the Lions but the Redhawks were able to close things out, taking the first game.
Neither team could create any separation early in the second set until the Pride went on a 6-0 run to take a 14-8 lead, forcing a timeout from the Benedictine head coach. Caleb Twyman (JR/Corona, CA) and Garcia would find the hardwood in some key moments as the Lions were able to keep the Redhawks at bay until a 4-0 run by the home team would tie things up at 21. Watts made some big plays down the stretch as his solo block and two kills were instrumental in tying the match at one set apiece.
A couple of blocks keyed an early 7-3 advantage for the Redhawks in the third set, but the Lions would take advantage of two attacking errors to counter with a 4-1 run of their own to bring things back within one. Benedictine would push their advantage back to five with a couple of kills and would absorb multiple mini-runs by the Blue and Gold as they led 19-14 late in the set. Two blocks in a row would keep the Lions alive for the moment, but the Redhawks would take the third set 25-19.
Benedictine once again jumped out to an early 7-3 advantage, but Bryce Thompson (SO/Los Alamitos, CA) continued to put his teammates in positions to succeed as the Pride drew back within two. A thunderous kill from Kyle Anema (SO/La Mirada, CA) and a service ace by Garcia would pace things for VU, while two errors by the home team and two kills by Anema would allow the Pride to cut their deficit to one. The Redhawks were able to keep a two-point buffer until a solo block by Garcia and a kill would tie things up at 20. In a nail-biter of a finish, Benedictine would finish things off with a kill to take the game three sets to one.
Next Game: Tuesday, March 10th against the University of Jamestown at 7:00 p.m.
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