MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Rockford University men's volleyball team (0-7, 0-6 NACC) continued a brutal stretch of its schedule on Friday night with a 3-0 loss at the MSOE Raiders (5-3, 4-1 NACC). Although they slipped out of the rankings this week, the Raiders were ranked 15th nationally last week, after receiving votes in both of the previous two AVCA Top 15 polls this season. Over half of the teams the Regents have played thus far have either been ranked or have been receiving votes in multiple national polls this year. Despite the tough schedule and opponent on Friday, Rockford was able to improve in each of the three sets, but unfortunately, the Regents came up short in the end, falling 25-11, 25-14 and 25-18.
- MSOE took control early on in the opening set by jumping out to a quick 7-2 lead.
- Rockford was able to get back within three after scoring three of the next four points. James Davenport and Connor McNear led the offensive attack with one kill apiece.
- With Rockford still trailing by four at 12-8, the Raiders scored the next 9 points en route to taking the opening set 25-11.
- The second set followed a similar pattern with Rockford quickly falling behind 8-1.
- The Regents would then score 6 of the next 9 points to make it just a 4-point game at 11-7.
- Unfortunately, just like in the first set, MSOE scored the next 9 points en route to winning the second set 25-14.
- Rockford would again have to try and dig itself out of a hole after falling behind 6-2 in the opening moments of the third set.
- The Raiders were able to extend their lead to as many as six points before Rockford began to find its rhythm.
- Rockford used a 10-4 run midway through to tie the set at 16-16. Jett Stewart, Connor McNear, James Davenport and Jeremy Weaver all recorded a kill over that span.
- The Regents and Raiders went back and forth over the next few points with MSOE retaking the lead at 19-18.
- However, MSOE would score the final 6 points to win the third set 25-18 and the match 3-0.
The RU men's volleyball team returns home on Tuesday, March 16 against Lakeland University. First serve is set for 7 PM in the Seaver Center.
