Miami Gardens, Fla. – Playing their first game in the friendly confines of the Fernandez Family Center this season on Monday afternoon, the third-ranked St. Thomas University Men's Volleyball Team outlasted visiting Lees McRae College (25-18, 18-25, 25-20, 25-18).
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #3 St. Thomas 3, Lees McRae 1
Records: #3 St. Thomas (3-1), Lees McRae (1-5)
All-Time Series: STU leads 1-0
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- After surrendering the opening point of the match, St. Thomas scored three-straight and kept the lead for the rest of the first stanza.
- Lees McRae scored back-to-back points with a tied 12-all score in the second set to take the lead while holding the host without a run of consecutive points for the rest of the set to maintain the lead.
- STU countered a 2-0 start to the third set by Lees McRae with five-straight points and held their opposition without a run of consecutive points until a late 4-0 rally made it 19-16 in favor of St. Thomas.
- St. Thomas broke an early 3-3 stalemate in the fourth set with four-straight points and kept the lead above three for the rest of the contest.
NOTEWORTHY:
- Gabriel Negrao paced the offense behind 16 kills on a .400 hitting percentage, adding seven digs.
- Kaelen Ingram added 13 kills on a .458 clip alongside three assisted blocks and two service aces.
- Rafael Obrusnik tallied 40 assist.
- Cameron Gray anchored the defense behind eight digs.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- The Bobcats ended the match with 55 kills on a .350 hitting percentage; Lees McRae tallied 43 on a .232 clip.
- STU served eight ace while the visitors logged two.
- St. Thomas recorded two solo blocks and 10 assisted versus three solo and eight assisted for LMC.
- STU held a 30-23 advantage in digs.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats welcome National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) foe Lees McRae for their home opener on Monday, Jan. 26 with first serve slated for 7:00 pm.
