Men's Volleyball Starts 0-2 in Program's First Matches

PARKVILLE, MO – The Brescia University men's volleyball team made their program debut at the Pirate Invitational hosted by Park University. The boys went 0-2 in day one but will look to bounce back in day two tomorrow against #3 Park and (RV) Ottawa.

Match 1: Viterbo 3 Brescia 0

In the first match in program history, the Bearcats would start out strong to take a 15-12 lead. The Hawks would break out on a 6-1 run to take a two-point advantage. BU would battle back and tie up the score on a service error by the Hawks and a kill by Mustafa Yildiz. Ultimately, the Bearcats couldn't take set one as they fall 25-23. In set two, BU would start off on a 11-8 run on a kill by Tuna Konukcu. Attack errors would riddle the Bearcat offense as the Hawks would shoot out on another 6-1 run. The Hawks would take set two 25-18 as they take the two-set advantage over the Bearcats. The Bearcats would start set three just like the first two as the Hawks surge back to take the win 25-18.

Meric Akovali led the team with 12 kills on 33 total chances with just five errors. Tuna Konukcu had nine kills in 26 total chances with only six errors.

Match 2: Morningside 3 Brescia 0

These two teams would go point for point on the scoreboard as a service error and a kill by Konukcu would give the Bearcats a two-point advantage. Unfortunately, the Bearcats struggle to close out sets in their young season as the Mustangs take set one, 25-22. The Mustangs shot out to an early 6-1 lead at the start of the second set. Morningside would take sets two and three in the same fashion as both scores finish, 25-14.

Owen Collitt and Tuna Konukcu each finished with six kills apiece in the second match.

The Bearcats will finish day two at the Pirate Invitational Saturday the 27^th starting with #3 Park University at 12 pm CT.