Griffins Four Game Win Streak Gets Snapped Against No. 12 Lions; Hadzisalihovic Ties All-Time Blocks Record

CINCINNATI, Ohio.—The Fontbonne University men's volleyball team took on one of its toughest teams to date in No. 12 Mount St. Joseph on Friday night. The Lions, though came away with the straight set (22-25, 25-27, 14-25) win.

The Griffins (8-3; 3-1 MCVL), finished with 29 kills and a season-low .073 hitting percentage. Stephen Lendy was a bright spot with his team-high 10 kills. Jacob Lendy and Kyler van Rossum-O'Connell each dished out 13 assists, while Zach Rothstein added 11 digs. Also, Emir Hadzisalihovic totaled one block assist, which tied him with the all-time mark of 183 in his career.

The Lions (12-3; 3-0 MCVL), meanwhile, compiled 42 kills, a .309 hitting percentage, 40 assists, 42 digs and 18 block assists.

Darien Bradley and Jason Hascher each led with 10 kills apiece. Nathan Herdeman handed out a match-high 35 assists, while Joey Piazza led them on the defensive side of the net with 14 digs.

In the first set, it was the Griffins coming out with a 12-8 lead on Brendon Schwartze's kill. Later, the team led 18-14, until the Lions rattled off a 4-0 run to tie at 18-18 on Hascher's kill and that forced the Griffins to take a timeout.

Out of the break, MSJ regained the lead at 20-19 on Darien Bradley's kill and never relinquished its lead from there, going on for the 25-22 win.

In the second set, it was the Lions this time around jumping out in front, 13-7, on a block assist from Andrew Chisholm and Bradley. As the set wore on, the Griffins continued to chip away at the deficit, but the Lions were on top 24-21.

Then, a quick 4-0 run by the Griffins, capped off by Mark Klusman's kill, gave the visitor's a 25-24 lead. After MSJ tied it, the Griffins got the lead back on a Lions service error. However, kills from Chisholm and Zack Storc, gave MSJ the 27-25 victory.

In the third, a kill from Hadisalihovic narrowed the Lions lead down to 13-10. It was all Mount St. Joseph the rest of the way, though as they outscored Fontbonne 12-4 and went on for the 25-14 set and match win.

The Griffins look to bounce back tomorrow morning against Wittenberg at 10 a.m., followed by at 12 p.m., outing against Hiram.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the men's volleyball team.