Griffins give fans exciting match vs. Carthage

St. Louis, Mo. - Over the weekend the Griffins fell in both Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League matches, but Sunday's match against No. 7-ranked Carthage College was exciting for fans in attendance.

Trailing 20-16 to open the match, Fontbonne put up four straight points to tie the undefeated Red Men 20-20. The teams were tied 22-22 when Carthage scored two points. Fontbonne trailed by one when Carthage secured the first set win on a big kill by Adamcyzk.

Tied 6-6 in set two, Carthage scored eight consecutive points to lead 14-6. The Griffins began an 8-2 rally with a big solo block by James Sauermann in the middle to cut the Red Men's lead by two (16-14). Carthage held a 18-15 lead when Fontbonne scored four points in a row to lead 19-18. Carthage tied the game but Fontbonne scored two points to lead 21-19 and eventually 24-21. Carthage came back and tied the game 24-24. Back and forth play ensued with Fontbonne leading 28-27 when the Red Men closed out the second set on three straight points for the 30-28 victory.

Carthage came out strong, leading 6-3 trying to finish the game in three sets. Fontbonne fought back to tie the set at eight apiece. Teams exchanged points and with Carthage leading 21-19, the Red Men scored three in a row. Fontbonne scored one more points before Carthage secured the 25-20 third-set win.

Peter Hibbler recorded seven block assists in the match with Saurmann totaling two solo blocks in his first start of the year. Jimmy Stika recorded eight hard digs for the Griffins with Stephen Lendy adding six to the list. Aaron Graue recorded nine kills for the Griffins while Lendy finished with eight and the high kill percentage (.263) for the Griffins.

On the weekend, freshman Tony Pitro recorded 15 kills, hitting .237 in the Griffins' two conference matches. Hibbler totaled 10 block assists and Stika 21 digs.

Fontbonne is at home for two games this Friday, taking on Mount St. Joseph University at 7 p.m. followed by Lindenwood Belleville at 9 p.m.