ELGIN, Ill. - The Regents (0-9) dropped their final two matches at the Judson University Invitational on Saturday to Goshen College (5-4) and Lincoln College (1-6). Rockford fell 3-0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-17) in its opener to the Maple Leafs, before losing a 3-0 (25-22, 25-23, 25-18) nail-biter to the Lynx. The Regents set program-highs in both kills (25) and assists (25) in the loss to Lincoln.
Goshen College Maple Leafs (25-12, 25-16, 25-17)
- It was a very difficult opening set for the Regents. Goshen never trailed and methodically extended its lead throughout the entire set.
- After falling behind 14-4, the Regents were never able to get any closer than eight, as the Maple Leafs won set one 25-12.
- Rockford played much better in the second set. The Regents scored two of the first three points, capped off by a Matthew Seger kill.
- With the set tied at 4-4, the Maple Leafs used a 6-1 run to grab a 10-5 advantage.
- Rockford was able to trim the Goshen lead back down to three on multiple occasions, with the latter coming off a Randall Simental kill at 14-11.
- Unfortunately, the Maple Leafs scored nine of the next thirteen points en route to taking a 2-0 lead.
- The third set also got off to a rocky start. Goshen opened on an 11-1 run to take a commanding lead.
- Rockford was never quite able to get back within striking distance, as Goshen won the third set and the match.
Lincoln College Lynx (25-22, 25-23, 25-18)
- Once again Rockford got off to a slow start, falling behind 5-0 and then 11-4.
- However, the Regents put together an impressive 10-4 run of their own and pulled back within a single point. Offensively, Rockford was paced by kills from Randall Simental, Matthew Seger and Jeremy Weaver. Jose Padron Garcia also added a pair of service aces.
- Lincoln was able to build its lead back up to as many as four points at 22-18.
- Fortunately, the Regents scored the next three points and forced the Lynx to use their final timeout of the set.
- However, Lincoln was able to score three of the next four points to take the opening set 25-22.
- The majority of the second set belonged to the Regents.
- Rockford scored the first three points, led by a kill from Marcus Pennington.
- After Lincoln responded and took a 7-5 advantage, the Regents strung together a 6-1 run to retake the lead.
- The Regents and Lynx continued to trade points over the next few minutes, with Rockford clinging to a 19-17 advantage.
- However, Lincoln promptly went on a 4-1 run to retake the lead at 21-20.
- Rockford would then tie it at 21-21, after calling its first of timeout of the set.
- The Lynx responded with two straight points to take a 23-21 advantage and force the Regents to use their final timeout.
- The Regents answered with a 2-0 run of their own, capped off by a kill from Marcus Pennington.
- Unfortunately, Lincoln scored the final two points to win the set and take a 2-0 advantage.
- Rockford fell behind 8-2 to open the third and final set.
- The Lynx built their lead up to as many as seven points at 16-9.
- Fortunately, the RU offense began to find its rhythm, as the Regents used a 7-3 run to pull back within three. Jose Padron Garcia led the Regent charge with four kills and a service ace.
- However, Lincoln closed the set with a 6-2 run to secure the win.
Goshen College
Lincoln College
- Jose Padron Garcia led the Regents with 8 kills, a team-high 10 digs, 3 aces and 2 assists.
- Jorge Pando finished with a team-high 19 assists, 7 digs, 3 kills, 1 solo block and 1 block assist.
- Randall Simental added 5 kills, 5 digs, 1 assist and 1 ace.
The Rockford University men's volleyball team returns to the court on Saturday, February 15 for a nonconference match at Marian University. Tip-off is set for 11 AM.
