ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's volleyball team dropped its Tuesday match against Sain Mary-of-the-Woods College 3-1 (14-25, 25-19, 18-25, 22-25). After a difficult first set, the Regents captured the second to equalize, but eventually fell in the final two sets to the Pomeroys. Despite the defeat,
Isaiah Dixon led the Regents in kills (8) and digs (6), while tying the school record for service aces (5).
- Rockford jumped out to an early lead in set one, going up 6-2. Isaiah Dixon recorded a pair of aces while Danny Karpenko added two kills.
- After a brief trading of points, SMWC roared back, going on an eight-point run to take a 12-8 lead.
- The Regents kept up with the Pomeroys for a short period, but quickly dropped the set after another eight-point run sealed the deal for set one, 25-14.
- A battle broke out between both sides to open set two.
- Both sides traded points to the score of 10-8 in Rockford's favor, including two kills by Connor McNear and back-to-back aces by Josh Albers,
- The Regents began pulling away right after this point, building a six-point lead thanks to back-to-back kills by Connor McNear and three more from Josh Albers, Isaiah Dixon, and Joseph Hinkley. Rockford held the lead 17-11.
- RU ran into a bit of trouble when Saint Mary-of-the-Woods pulled within four, but the Regents slammed the door with a final score of 25-19.
- Set three began in the Pomeroys favor, going up 9-4.
- Rockford stayed within two-to-three points of SMWC but failed to take the lead as both sides built up to a 14-12 score.
- The Regents fell apart after this, hardly able to keep up with the Pomeroys momentum. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods polished off the set on an 11-6 run, taking set two 25-18.
- SMWC got out in front 9-3 to begin set four.
- The Regents refused to give up, battling back within two points at 14-12. The run was capped off with two Isaiah Dixon service aces.
- Rockford got into a routine of trading points with the Pomeroys, staying within three or less points as the two sides worked to a 22-20 score.
- RU equalized with two straight points to have a chance at forcing a fifth set.
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods quickly slammed the door right after, capturing the final three points and taking the set and the match 25-22.
- Isaiah Dixon tied the school record for service aces with 5. He also led the team in kills (8) and digs (6).
- Josh Albers recorded 29 assists.
- Connor McNear finished with 7 kills, 2 digs, and a pair of blocks.
