Eagles Fight In 5-Set Thriller In AAC Semi-Finals But Fall Short to Webber

MARIETTA, GA –  The Reinhardt men's volleyball team finished out the season at #2, earning themselves a buy in the first round of the AAC Tournament. The Eagles were set to play Webber International in the semifinals on Friday night, March 31^st. This led to five-set thriller but Reinhardt came up short, losing the match 3-2 (3-2; 14-25, 25-5, 22-25, 25-17, 12-15). Webber came out on top of the first set 25-14 due to the 11 hitting errors by Reinhardt. The Eagles answered with a lights-out set two, winning 25-5. The Eagles and Warriors then traded sets with Webber taking set two and Reinhardt taking set four, to force the game to a 5-set match. The Webber Warriors ultimately clenched set five to advance to the AAC championship set for tomorrow afternoon. 

Although this isn't the way the Eagles wanted to end their season, they should be very proud of what they accomplished this season. This season ended up being the best in program history thanks to the great coaching staff and the players who take pride in the culture they have created. Reinhardt is finished their season with a record of 20-6 and had 3 players in Alex Sanchez, Rodolfo Biegelmeyer, and Victor Pacheco, who made 1^st team all-conference. They also had 3 players make 2^nd team all-conference and that includes Bruno Dewes, Chase Cross, and John Hynes. Libero Alex Sanchez made history at Reinhardt, being the first ever player to win the Defender of the Year award and become a NAIA player of the week. This season has been a great one to watch and Eagle Nation is very proud of this team. 

Thoughts from Coach B:

"It's important, win or lose and tonight in a loss, I want to give all the Honor and Glory to God.

Very controversial ending to tonight's match where the officials 100% made the wrong call but I will leave it at that because at the end of the day, Webber earned tonight's victory and played a good hard fought match. They outplayed us in set 5 and earned the right to be in the Championship match.

I'm very proud of our guys. It's still crazy to me to be coaching them as I came in 2017 to take over women's volleyball and help turn the program around. Men's was just something I wanted to add and for my assistant at the time to be the head coach. It's what I did at Webber when I was there. Fast forward and I'm the head coach of the men's team as well, and to see the growth of these guys in such a short period of time, it's truly amazing. They went from being one of the bottom teams to having a 20-6 season and earning a bye into the semi-finals of the post season tournament. A program that has been together longer having to grind out a 5-setter to beat them. I'm just simply very proud of them. 

It's important to me that they know how much they mean to me. I obviously didn't plan on life throwing terminal brain cancer into my life. This team has helped me so much, more than they know, with my cancer fight! Getting to be with them at practices and matches throughout this season has been something that has very much uplifted me. Thank you to my team, staff, and to everyone for their support, love, and prayers. I will continue to not give up and to keep up the fight! #CBstrong"

Leaders:

• Rodolfo Biegelmeyer led the Eagle offense, slamming down 21 kills (.333). Victor Pacheco also had a great game with 18 kills of his own. 
• Bruno Dewes did a fantastic job setting his hitters up for success, totaling 49 assists.
• Defender of the Year, Alex Sanchez, had the squad-high in digs with 16. Sanchez also had 5 service aces on the match as well. 
• John Hynes stood tall at the net with 3 blocks, while John Hynes and Victor Pacheco each added 2.

Team Comparison:

Sets: 3-2 WIU

Points: 72-60 RU

Kills: 60-43 RU

K %: .301% - .227% RU

Assists: 54-43 RU

Aces: 7-5 RU

Digs: 32-31 WIU

Blocks: 21-9 WIU

Attack Errors: 23-21 RU

Service Errors: 17-6 RU