Mustangs Gallop Past V-Hawks in Four-Set Thriller

LA CROSSE, Wis. - Mount Mercy's men's volleyball team earned another road win in a four-set showdown against the Viterbo V-Hawks on Tuesday night. The Mustangs won with a match score of 3-1, and set scores of 25-21, 19-25, 25-18, and 27-25. 

Mount Mercy controlled the momentum early, taking set one, 25-21, behind a .225 hitting percentage to Viterbo's .182. In the second set, the winds shifted in favor of the V-Hawks as they took set two 25-19, holding the Mustangs to their match-low .147 hitting percentage. 

Tied 1-1, the Mustangs regained momentum with a match-high .452 hitting percentage in set three, securing a 25-19 win. The battle continued into the fourth set. Trailing by five points at the start of set four, the V-Hawks rallied their way to tie the match at 22-all. In a tight battle, the Mustangs charged past the V-Hawks with Brian Lynch putting the Mustangs ahead by one on a timely kill and Pere Font Torres sealing a Mustang 27-25 win after putting the ball down for a kill. 

Lynch was a powerhouse for the Mustangs, recording 19 kills out of 39 attempts for a .333 hitting percentage. Lynch contributed to three blocks as well. Torres trailed Lynch with nine kills, with Matthew Krzos following with seven. Gustavo Bauer rallied the Mustang offense, putting up 31 assists, while Maks Cabajewski added 25. Laurin Oldenburg and Richard Struska led the defense with 10 digs each. 

The V-Hawks were led by Ethan Davis and Riley Connors, each recording 11 kills, with Connors leading with a .129 hitting percentage. Alex Kratzenstein followed the pair at 10 kills and a .429 hitting percentage. Logan Amdur guided the V-Hawk offense with 32 assists while Max Dugan led the defense with 18 digs. 

Mount Mercy (17-5, 11-3 HEART) will be back at home on Friday, March 28, as they host Morningside at Hennessey Recreation Center with the opening serve set for 7:00 p.m.