FOND DU LAC, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point men's volleyball team (8-7) fell to host Marian (11-3) and No. 5 Loras (14-0) in three sets at the Marian Invite on Saturday.
Josh Brogren (Elkhorn, Wis./Elkhorn Area) posted a double-double against Marian with 19 assists and 12 digs. He led all players with 27 assists against Loras.
Zach Meyers (Bristol, Wis./Westosha Central) led the Pointers in kills in both matches with 11 and 12, respectively, on the day.
Andy Sanchez (Mesa, Ariz./Desert Ridge) posted match-highs of 14 and 12 digs on the day.
Game 1: UWSP 0, Marian 3 (19-25, 23-25, 21-25)
Dylan Niznik (Antioch, Ill./Antioch Community) posted a kill to give UWSP an early 6-3 lead. He added a second kill, but the Sabres posted a 10-1 run to put UWSP in a 13-7 hole. Meyers had three kills as the Pointers got within 16-14. Niznik had another kill down the stretch, but UWSP couldn't catch up.
Spencer Baeckman (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) had a block to cap a 4-0 burst as the Pointers went ahead, 8-7.
Kyle Smith (Waukesha, Wis./Waukesha West) had a kill and a block to give the Pointers a 22-21 edge, but Marian closed the set on a 4-1 run.
Meyers had two kills early in the third as UWSP was in front, 10-8. He had two more kills, but the Sabres pulled in front late to finish the sweep.
Game 2: UWSP 0, #5 Loras 3 (18-25, 22-25, 24-26)
Smith served up back-to-back aces as the Pointers gained a 5-4 edge early. Meyers had two kills, but Loras put UWSP in an 18-11 hole. Baeckman had two kills in a 3-1 spurt, but the Duhawks maintained the lead to take the opening set.
Loras took an 11-3 lead with UWPS getting a kill from Niznik and Meyers early. Meyers had four kills, including three-straight, but the Pointers couldn't complete the comeback.
Meyers had two kills and Niznik added one as UWSP forged in front, 7-6. Smith posted consecutive kills as the Pointers held a 15-13 edge. Brogren had a pair of kills as UWSP led, 22-21, late. Baeckman had kills to tie the set at 23-23 and 24-24, but Loras scored the final two points to finish the sweep.
The Pointers will host Concordia University Chicago in the final home match of the season on Tuesday (March 5). First serve in Berg Gym is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
