THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — California Lutheran men's volleyball team hosted University of St. Katherine inside Gilbert Arena for a Wednesday night match. The Violet and Gold defeated the Firebirds in three sets (25-14, 25-21, 25-23).

The Kingsmen came out strong as they took a quick 5-0 lead in the first set, thanks to Andrew Reina who served all five points, even landing himself an ace. Later in the set, Grant Nelson and Kelly Jew went on service runs of their own, helping the Kingsmen clinch the first set 25-14.

In the second set, the Firebirds came out swinging as they went point for point with Cal Lutheran. At one point the Kingsmen were down 12-14 but Jew brought the Kingsmen back in the game with a side-out kill and another service run. A last minute fight from the Firebirds threatened Cal Lutheran's commanding lead, but back-to-back hitting errors by St. Katherine gave the Kingsmen their final points of the second set (25-21).

Despite a quick lead by the Firebirds, the Kingsmen managed to tie up the third set at eight. St. Katherine and Cal Lutheran went point-for-point but the Kingsmen managed to finish strong and take the third set 25-23.

Reina led the team with 11 kills and Michael Campbell added eight. Campbell averaged a .889 hitting percentage and also added six total blocks for the Violet and Gold. Mason Mercer was close behind Campbell with seven kills and had a hitting percentage of .583 for the night. Grant Nelson kept the offense moving as he tallied 33 assists and two kills. Alec Bennett led the team defensively with 15 digs, tying his season-high, and also contributed three assists.

The Kingsmen (6-3) look to continue their success on the road as they play Nazareth and Johnson & Wales (RI.) on Friday, Feb. 16, in New York.

CLU 3, USK 0
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Release by Nicki Tetherow, Assistant Sports Information Director