ATHERTON, Calif - The Ottawa University Arizona men's volleyball team split their games on Friday at the Menlo College Tournament. They defeated the hosts' Menlo College 3-0 (25-22, 25-22, 25-21) and lost to Benedictine University at Mesa 0-3 (25-29, 25-18, 25-19).

With the split, the Spirit move to 4-5 overall on the year.
In match one of the day the Spirit faced the Oaks of Menlo college, also a first-year program. The Oaks held the lead for most of the game, until point 20. The Spirit used Menlo's service and attack errors to give them the jump to finish game one 25-22. Game two began similarly, the Spirit working from a deficit to tie the game.
 
Again at point 16, the Spirit made their move with a run of kills from Tony Williams, Bryan Ilena, and Quentin Campbell to propel them into the lead. The Oaks fought back to close the gap, but the Spirit held out to end game two 25-22. Game three OUAZ took control, maintaining the lead and finishing the game 25-21 and the match.
 
The Spirit's tough serving helped them win the game in a tidy three-set match. Joaquin Santa Cruz led the Spirit with three aces of their five earned. Bryan Ilena led the block party with three of OUAZ's ten for the match compared to the Oak's six.
 
Match two the Spirit faced the Redhawks of Benedictine University at Mesa. OUAZ took control of the game early, earning six-point lead before the Redhawks tied the score at 17-17. The Redhawk offense dominated the late game finishing the game 25-19. In game two, the Redhawks controlled the pace of the game maintaining the lead. The Spirit made moves to catch the Redhawks, but Benedictine would hold out to win the game 25-18. Game three followed similarly with the Spirit making moves to gain on the Redhawks. Benedictine would end the game and the match with a 25-19 win.
 
--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.