Glendale, Ariz.- Competing for the first time at home in nearly six weeks, Arizona Christian came out ready to go as they won the first two sets against NAIA number six ranked Benedictine Mesa.  But the Redhawks slowed the momentum of the Firestorm and won the final three sets.

Match Info

• Match score: Benedictine Mesa - 3, Arizona Christian- 2
  • Set 1: ACU 25-22
  • Set 2: ACU 25-23
  • Set 3: BENU 25-16
  • Set 4: BENU 25-18
  • Set 5: BENU 15-13
• Records: Arizona Christian- 3-8, 0-4 GSAC, Benedictine Mesa- 12-3, 3-1 GSAC
• NAIA Top 15 Rank: Arizona Christian- not ranked, Benedictine Mesa- 6
• Location: Firestorm Recreation Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Stats

• Connor Monahan - 17 kills, 9 digs
• Paul Rolland - 12 kills, 9 digs
• Jarrett Spartz- 11 kills
• Caleb Merlino - 10 kills
• Josiah Flores - 45 assists, 8 digs
• Jeremy Simon - 18 digs
• Korbin Torres- 5 blocks

Inside the Box Score

• BENU won four of the first five points
• Rolland used a kill to force the first tie at 9-9
• Five ties ensued before back-to-back kills by Monahan gave ACU the first set lead for good.
• Down 14-10 in the second set, a Rolland kill was followed by six straight points with Spartz serving (including an ace) to push ACU ahead for good
• In the third, aces by Simon and Spartz created 4-4 and 7-7 ties
• The set was tied one more time at 9-9 before the Redhawks took over
• Behind 3-1 in the fourth, a 3-0 run highlighted by a Rolland and block from Spartz and Torres made it 4-3
• But BENU went in front and stayed there
• Tied 6-6 in the final set, the Redhawks grabbed the lead and ACU was within one three times but could not force a tie
• With a kill differential of just three, serving was the ugly part of the match as the teams combined for 38 service errors.

Thoughts from Coach Bruns
"We battled tonight.  Didn't get the job done from the service line when it mattered but it's what it is.  Got a job to do tomorrow and we need to keep our eyes forward."
"Quick shout out to Jeremy as I thought he played very well tonight"

Up Next
The Firestorm will turn right around and play at Park Gilbert on Thursday evening.  First serve is set for 6:00 pm at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa.