Eagles Split Games in Conference Pod

David Finney | photos by G-Rox Photography

Campbellsville, KY - Day two of the conference pod did not go as well as things did on day one, however, the teams that the Eagles faced were very talented and skilled. One of these games included the #2 team in the NAIA, Campbellsville University. The Eagles were not favored in either of the games on Saturday, however, they did want to make it as competitive as possible to see how they lined up with higher-ranked teams. 

Game One vs Cumberland (TN) - 0-3 (20-25, 18-25, 22-25)

This matchup would be the most competitive one of the day for the Eagles. The Phoenix of Cumberland University was bringing in a 17-15 overall record so this was one that the Eagles could compete with and get the win if things fell into place.

The Eagles would keep the first set close, however, the Phoenix would get a three-point lead early that the Eagles could not overcome. The lead would get as high as five points in the first set as the Eagles continued to try to chip away at the lead. Victor Pacheco, Matthew Corrales, and Chase Cross were doing what they could to try to break into the lead, but they never could get it down to striking distance. The first set would end with the five-point lead sticking with Cumberland winning 25-20.

The second set had the Eagles leading through roughly the first third of the set. It was 9-8 Eagles in the first third of the set and then the lead slipped back to the Phoenix. The set was tied at 9 all and then Cumberland went on a run to get the lead up to seven points. The second set would end with Cumberland winning 25-18.

In the third set, the Eagles would have the most competitive set of the three. The set had several ties through the first half until it was 13 all. At this point, Cumberland went on another run to get a four-point lead, 18-14. The Eagles worked their way back in the set by work from Troy Sly and Bruno Dewes to tie it again at 22 all. This would be as close as Reinhardt would get as Cumberland would go on to win 25-22 and take the match.

Top Performers

• Matthew Corrales - 11 kills with 2 errors, .474 hitting percentage.

• Victor Pacheco - 8 kills

• Bruno Dewes - 29 assists

• Troy Sly - 7 kills with 1 error, .600 hitting percentage.

Game Two vs #2 Campbellsville - 0-3 (14-25, 11-25, 17-25)

In the matchup with Campbellsville, the Eagles would get a taste of what it is like to play a highly ranked team. The Tigers would show their dominance in all three sets as they would have double-digit leads in all sets except the final set which hit nine as the high point. 

The Eagles did everything they could to keep all three sets close at the start, however, the lead would start expanding around the midway point. This would be when the Tigers would pour it on to get their large leads. The leads would be too much for the Eagles to handle in each set as Campbellsville's power would wear down the Eagles. Once the lead was established, the Eagles would not be able to get it down to a manageable level and the Tigers would cruise to three straight wins. Victor Pacheco and Troy sly would keep things as close they would attempt to get kills from Bruno Dewes' assists. What typically works for the Eagles would not work so well in this one. 

Top Performers

• Victor Pacheco - 7 kills with 1 error, .375 hitting percentage.

• Troy Sly - 6 kills with 1 error, .455 hitting percentage.

• Bruno Dewes - 10 assists