Flying Fleet Down Reinhardt, 3-2, in Home Opener

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com

WALESKA, Ga. – Men's volleyball opened its home slate inside the Brown Athletic Center on Wednesday night against NCAA Division II Erskine (S.C.), and for the second match in-a-row, the Eagles fell in five sets after the Flying Fleet were victorious 26-28, 25-20, 33-35, 25-19, 13-15.

The defeat drops Reinhardt to 1-3 after three-consecutive losses following a season-opening triumph.

"The guys played hard tonight," head coach CJ Shearer said. "We need to be more disciplined with the little things to turn these losses into wins. The team is so close to a breakthrough, and they'll put the work in to get there. Everything to God, I thank him for this amazing job and program, and we look forward to getting back on the court."

Eagles vs. Flying Fleet (L, 3-2)

• The hometown club opened the evening on fire by storming out to a 10-1 lead in set one, but little by little the advantage would vanish. Erskine would even move ahead, 18-17, before Reinhardt netted five-straight scores to get within striking distance of a 1-0 lead.
• The Eagles failed to put away the Flying Fleet thanks to a service error on set point at 24-22, which would set the tone for a wild night on the court the rest of the way.
• Both teams had their backs against the wall in the opening game, but it was Erskine who received a break on an error to take stanza one.
• Set two would see Reinhardt pull out to a small lead again fresh out of the gate, but this time the host was able to overcome late-set adversity to tie the match at 1-1 following a 25-20 final.
• The third stanza was full of drama as both groups landed punches on the other in a 35-33 slugfest. One way or another, however, neither team could finish the job at the end until the Flying Fleet were the recipient of a kill and an error from the Eagles.
• The hosts would again respond after gathering themselves during set four and gained momentum on the offensive end to the tune of a 20-14 advantage. Erskine would get within three tallies, but couldn't fight its way back as the matchup went to a deciding set after a 25-19 score.
• Set five was tied, 6-6, when the Flying Fleet pulled ahead by five (11-6). The advantage would evaporate, however, as both clubs saw the finish line at 12-12 following five-consecutive points from Reinhardt.
• The Eagles would hold off defeat once to stay alive at 14-13, but a kill by Erskine would put a bow on the outing shortly after.
• The hometown club hit .102 with seven aces and was paced individually in kills by Matthew Corrales (20) and Chase Cross (16).
• Ricardo Mujica notched 41 assists and a trio of players had double-digit digs – Nicolas Castro (15), Cross (12) and Corrales (10).

It's back to the grind of practice for the hometown squad as it prepares for a rematch with Carolina (N.C.) on Feb. 9 at home.

Opening serve is set for 7 p.m. 

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For more information on Reinhardt Men's Volleyball, please click here.