ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's volleyball team (3-14) played a five-set thriller and came away with the victory against Wabash College (2-9) 3-2 on Saturday night. It was a fantastic match for all five sets, as both sides kept each other at bay. Wabash took the first and third sets of the match, while the Regents answered each time, winning the second and fourth sets. In the fifth set, Rockford fell behind but came back and won the final set to earn the Regents' third win of the season.
Jose Padron was an unbelievable asset in the win. He recorded a school record 23 kills and had a .346 hitting percentage, both team highs.
- Rockford and Wabash traded points to start set number one, the score was 6-5.
- The Little Giants took a huge lead shortly after, capturing 9 of 11 points to go up 14-7.
- Rockford tried to crawl back into the contest, but they were only able to trade points. The Regents dropped then first set 25-18.
- The two teams traded points to start the second set as well, Rockford taking the 14-10 lead on a 5-2 run.
- Wabash came back within one point, but Rockford took the lead and extended it to five points 21-16.
- The Little Giants drew closer, going on a 6-3 run, but the Regents captured the final point on a service error. The set total was tied at one each.
- Wabash came out firing the third set, running up the score to 16-8 after a series of runs.
- Rockford tried to come back at 21-12, Danny Karpenko recorded back-to-back service aces.
- Wabash took the set easily after with the next four points that ended any chance the Regents had to come back, winning 25-15.
- Rockford dominated the fourth set, running up the score to 10-5
- The Little Giants tried to keep up with the Regents but continually fell behind as the set went on, leading to a score of 23-17.
- Jose Padron recorded kills on the final two points to force a fifth set to decide a winner.
- Rockford and Wabash went on respective runs to open the fifth set, squaring the game at six.
- The two teams traded points until the Little Giants pulled in front 13-11, two points from victory.
- Rockford got its plan in order and the Regents captured the final four points to take the final set 15-13. Jose Padron had 2 kills, Connor McNear and Michael Moss contributed a block.
