SURPRISE, Ariz. – The OUAZ men's volleyball team welcomed the NAIA defending champions to Faith Arena on Friday night, but No. 7 Benedictine Mesa left with a 3-1 win in the first of two Golden State Athletic Conference meetings this season.
 
After dropping the first two sets, OUAZ (10-4, 5-3 GSAC) won the third before falling 18-25, 20-25, 25-20, 17-25.
 
The Spirit recorded 47 kills on the night while hitting .167. They were at their best in the third set where the team totaled 15 kills and hit .448. Benedictine Mesa (11-7, 6-1) ended with 50 kills and hitting .271 with at least 10 kills in every set.
 
James Yahner and Quaid King had 13 kills apiece for the Spirit. Quentin Campbell added eight kills with Colin Donisthorpe adding seven kills.
 
OUAZ had a 5-4 advantage in service aces with Conner Duyck posting four of those aces. Joaquin Santa Cruz finished with 15 digs.
 
BenU Mesa recorded 13 blocks to slow the OUAZ attack. Landon Fuller led the Redhawks with 14 kills and 13 digs.
 
The Spirit will play the second of this five-match homestand next Friday night, March 6, when they host No. 3 Menlo at 6 p.m.