Griffins fight hard against MSJ in home opener

St. Louis- Fans in MaBee Gymnasium watching a thrilling game today as Fontbonne men's volleyball took on the College of Mount St. Joseph (MSJ) Lions in a re-match from Friday night.

Fontbonne jumped out with a 25-21 win during the first set and were up by eight points (14-6) during the second before allowing MSJ to tie the set at 16 apiece. Back and forth play would result in several more ties with the final tie of the match at 23, before MSJ scored the final two points to end the set.

The Lions dominated the third set, winning 25-16 with a 52% hitting percentage. Fontbonne came out strong in the fourth set, leading 12-10 when the Lions scored four points in a row taking a 14-12 advantage. Back and forth play would ensue, with the game tied at 27. Alec King served for MSJ, apparently out of rotation, but went unnoticed by the head table but discussed by Lions and the lower referee after the play. MSJ went on to win 31-29.

Griffin Aaron Graue accumulated 18 kills with Justin Winkelmann assisting 37 times and Jimmy Stika totaling 9 digs.Fontbonne was big at the net, with eight solo blocks, three by Peter Hibbeler, two each by Graue and Winkelmann and one by Justin Rujawitz. The Griffins also contributed at the net with 13 block assists. The eight solo blocks is the most on the year for the Griffins.

Alex Vohland recorded 22 kills in the win with Luke Eschenbach totaling 50 assists for the Lions. MSJ competed as a team at the net, totaling 24 block assists for a total of 12 team blocks.

Friday night, the Lions swept Fontbonne in three sets 25-15, 25-21 and 16-25. MSJ dominated at the net with their 32% hitting percentage.

Fontbonne travels to Carthage and Dominican this weekend for two Continental Volleyball Conference matches.