COSTA MESA – Having split with the Red Hawks of Benedictine Mesa on the road, Vanguard men's volleyball wanted to claim the series win Friday night at home.  However, the third-ranked Lions could not conquer a set on the night, as the fifth-ranked Red Hawks swept VU 25-8, 25-22, and 25-23.  The Lions fall to 4-2 overall, while Benedictine Mesa goes to 3-2.

What Happened? The Lions hit in the negatives in the first set and struggled to find a rhythm.  But the team looked more in sync starting in the second period.  Valesis Vaisuai (JR/Hayward, CA) opened the scoring with a booming kill and Tanner Woods (JR/Portland, OR) then smacked down another to put VU ahead 2-0.  Kyle Anema (SR/La Mirada, CA) put VU up 6-3 with a high-powered kill, but Benedictine Mesa then put up three-straight points to tie things at 6-6.  An ace from Anema a few rallies later put the Lions up 10-8 but the lead would be short-lived.  The Red Hawks would outscore the Lions 12-4 to stake a 20-14 lead.  Despite the run, the Blue and Gold did not fold and soon grabbed a 4-1 run of its own.  Anema threw down a kill and Ryan Smith (SR/Parker, CO) slotted in an ace to help close the distance.  Another kill for Anema brought the gap down to 21-18 and VU would close the deficit to 24-22 on an ace from Woods, but an error gave the Red Hawks the second set 25-22.

VU hit a match-best .308 in the period, with Benedictine Mesa at .409.

The third set was the best chance for the Lions, as the squad continued to round into form.  Woods got the first two kills for the Lions in the set but the score would remain close during the opening stages.  Woods soon delivered another big kill and an ace for Anema put VU up 7-6, though the set would soon be tied at 10-all.

The Lions would hold the edge as both teams walked up the score, as the Blue and Gold did not trail through the middle portion of the set, though the home side's advantage was never greater than two points.  The Red Hawks would tie the game at 20-20 and then 22-22, with VU then taking a timeout.  The Red Hawks got the next point but a strike from Vaisuai would knot things up at 23-23.  However, two errors would allow the Red Hawks to win 25-23 and claim the sweep.

Vanguard hit .135 in the match, while Benedictine Mesa hit .387, as the guests had only seven errors in the contest.  Anema had 10 kills to lead the lineup, with Vaisuai next with six.  Smith had 23 assists and Woods, Ryan Jew (SR/Roseville, CA), and Smith each tied for a team-high four digs.

Why is it Important? Vanguard is now 3-7 all-time against the Red Hawks.

What was Said?  "The first set was definitely an anomaly," said Head Coach Brian Rofer.  "Everything that could go wrong went wrong and Benedictine took full advantage.  It was unfortunate that we couldn't even get any momentum going into the second set.  However, we competed in the second set and had some great opportunities in the third, but to be honest, it was just one of those nights.  That is part of sports.  What is important is what we take away from tonight.  We are definitely going to watch a lot of film this weekend, learn from it, and prepare for practice next week.  How we are playing in a couple of months will define us, not what happened tonight.  No excuses.  We will get better.  Also, all respect to the Red Hawks, they were definitely the better team tonight."

What's Next? The Lions will start Golden State Athletic Conference play next week on Wednesday, February 15, at 7:00 p.m.  Hope International will come to the OCC Gym, with the Royals sitting at 2-3 overall as of Friday night.