Liberty University Club Sports Athletics
Flames' DI men's volleyball goes 2-1 against NCAA DII foes
10/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Volleyball
Competing at King University in its first tournament since finalizing its Division I and II rosters, Liberty University's men's volleyball teams found out just how balanced those two units are this season when they played separate matches against the host school on Saturday in Bristol, Tenn.
The Flames' Division II team lost to King 25-21, 25-23 before Liberty's Division I lineup fell to the Tornado by 25-22, 25-23 counts.
The Flames squads were the only two teams out of the eight in the tournament who do not compete in the NCAA DII Conference Carolinas.
Overall, Liberty's DI team finished 2-1 in match play (4-2 in games), defeating North Greenville University, 25-20, 26-24, and Alderson Broaddus, 25-18, 25-15.
"The last two years we've played in this tournament, we've always come close, taking one game from one or two teams, but haven't won both against any of them," Head Coach Bryan Rigg said. "To beat North Greenville and Alderson Broaddus in two sets straight today was a big deal, a step forward for us. We were in some very competitive, well-played matches."
Junior setter Kaden Knepper served 11 aces in two matches and distributed the ball effectively as well as making a number of digs.
"He did a really good job of leading the team," Rigg said.
Liberty's middle hitters didn't make many blocks, but improved the quickness of their spiking combinations between senior Gene Dejesus and junior Jacob Holbert.
"Gene hit about .650 today, which is well above the average," Rigg said. "Both of our middles had high hitting percentages. They were really timing their jumps right when the ball left the setter's hands, and the distribution was good."
Junior outside hitter Brady Quakenbush hit at a .389 clip in the match against King, spiking eight kills on 18 attempts, and also had an accurate passing game and a powerful jump serve. Senior outside hitter TJ Forsythe also contributed a potent spike and passed and served efficiently while sophomore opposite hitter Daniel Koloff overcame a slow start before delivering some clutch hits in the last two sets.
Senior libero Sam Wyman was spot on with his service receive passing, particularly in the matches against King and North Greenville.
Meanwhile, the Flames' DII squad went 0-2-1 for the day, losing to Alderson Broaddus by 25-22, 25-19 scores and splitting its match against Limestone — winning the first game, 25-20, and dropping the second, 25-18.
"Joel Slaughter and Sean Taggart played well," Rigg said of his freshmen middle blocker and outside hitter, respectively. "They both got a lot of kills and blocks."
The Flames have a week and a half to prepare for the 28th annual Back to the Hardwood Classic, which will draw close to 50 Division I and II teams to Michigan State University on Nov. 11-12.
"We should be able to get into the gold bracket," Rigg said, estimating that only about a quarter of the teams will be of higher caliber than those the Flames faced on Saturday.
By Ted Allen/Staff Writer
