Fond du Lac, WI., -- North Park Men's Volleyball team traveled to the Sadoff Gymnasium on Tuesday night for a non-conference clash with Marian University. Despite keeping the final two sets within reach and seeing several players step up at the net, the Vikings were unable to secure a frame, falling to the Sabres in three sets (16-25, 22-25, 22-25).
The opening set saw North Park jump out to an early 2-0 lead behind a kill from Isaac Vroom and a block by Giovanni Serafini and Raphael de Sousa Macedo. However, Marian responded with a significant mid-set surge. Kills from Elijah Jasso kept the Vikings within striking distance at 14-21, but the Sabres were able to close out the first set 25-16. The Vikings found their rhythm in the second frame, led by the offensive efficiency of Gerald Buhain Malana, who sparked a 4-0 run to start the set with two kills and a service ace. North Park played some of its best volleyball of the night midway through, extending their lead to 21-17 following a kill by Josiah Walker and a massive block from Jonah Johnsamson and Walker. Unfortunately, Marian's Trent Goo Sun took over from the service line, fueling an 8-1 run to steal the set 25-22.
Determined to extend the match, the Vikings leaned on Adebayo Adekunle, who recorded four of his five kills in the final set. North Park held a 10-7 lead early and were later tied at 17-17 after a kill from David Akeju. The Vikings fought off multiple set points with blocks from Bobby Vaughn III, but Marian's Adrian Calderon-Castro delivered the final blow to take the set and the match, 25-22. Defensively, the Vikings totaled 8 blocks during the match which is their second highest block total this season.
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North Park's next match will be against Concordia University Chicago when they host the Cougars on Thursday, February 12th at 7pm.
