SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Ottawa University Arizona men's volleyball team hosted three matches on Saturday afternoon at Valley Vista. In the first match of the day, the OUAZ Spirit defeated the University of Saint Katherine 3-0, by final scores of 25-17, 25-18, and 25-16. In the final match of the day, OUAZ fell 3-2 in a close match with crosstown rival Benedictine University at Mesa. Final scores were: 25-21, 23-25, 25-22, 23-25, and 16-18.

With the split, the Spirit move to 3-2 overall on the year.

In their home opener match, the Spirit faced the Firebirds of the University of Saint Katherine. Game one started with OUAZ dominating play and taking the early lead 4-0 before the Firebirds could get on the scoreboard. From there play progressed with both teams attempting to make a run.
 
OUAZ was able to keep the lead through to the end of the game as play went back and forth, each team attempting to find their groove. In game two the Firebirds stayed with the OUAZ Spirit better in the beginning, but the Spirit's powerful offense and serving propelled them forward to widen the gap between teams and win the game 25-18.
 
Game three the Spirit wasted no time jumping ahead of the Firebirds. Toward the end of the game, the Firebirds made moves to close the gap, but it wasn't enough as the Spirit ended the match 25-16 with a kill by middle blocker Colin Donisthorpe, assist to Chris Brown.
 
In the second game of the day, the OUAZ Spirit took on the Redhawks of Benedictine University at Mesa. Game one started with a dominate BenU team keeping the Spirit on their heels. But through the game the Spirit kept pushing and took back the lead to win the game 25-21.
 
In game two the Redhawks took control similarly to the first but didn't give up the lead in this one finishing game two just barely at 25-23. Game three flipped the momentum to the Spirit as they kept a stable lead over the Redhawks to win the game 25-22.
 
Going into game four with a 2-1 lead over BenU, the Spirit worked to stay ahead. Both teams worked to stay ahead, tying the score throughout the game and battling for the upper hand. The Redhawks offense stepped up to finish game four 25-23.
 
As the final game of the day and the match started, the Spirit took control of the game earning the first five points before the Redhawks. At point 11 the Redhawks were able to catch up and take the lead by a single point, but the Spirit were not about to let go of this game without a fight. Both teams went back and forth trying to win by two points to end the match. A kill and a well-placed block ended the game in the Redhawks favor 18-14.

 

--SPIRIT--
 
 
About Ottawa University
Founded in 1865, Ottawa University prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment and service to God and humanity within a Christ-inspired community of grace and open inquiry. Ottawa University is a comprehensive, not-for-profit educational institution serving 3,000 students through its residential campuses in Ottawa, Kan., and Surprise, Ariz., and adult campuses in Overland Park, Kan.; Phoenix, Queen Creek and Surprise, Ariz.; Brookfield, Wis.; Jeffersonville, Ind.; as well as online. For more information, visit www.ottawa.edu. 
 
For more information about OUAZ athletics, visit http://www.ottawa.edu/ouaz/athletics. Follow OUAZ athletics on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OUAZSpiritAthletics/ and on Twitter twitter.com/OUAZSpirit.