St. Ambrose defeats Culver-Stockton in season-opening event
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (IA) (0-3) | 25 | 20 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 2 |
|
Graceland (3-0) | 22 | 25 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (IA) (1-3) | 20 | 13 | 16 | 0 |
|
UHSP (3-0) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (IA) (0-1) | 21 | 18 | 21 | 0 |
|
#12 Missouri Baptist (1-0) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Ambrose (IA) (1-1) | 25 | 22 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
|
Culver-Stockton (MO) (0-2) | 21 | 25 | 20 | 8 | 1 |
St. Ambrose opened its 2024 season by winning one match at the HOA Challenge in St. Louis, Mo. The Bees defeated Culver-Stockton in four sets after falling to No. 12 Missouri Baptist in three Friday. Saturday, SAU lost to Graceland 3-2 and the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy 3-0.
The Bees dominated the fourth set in the 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-8 win over Culver-Stockton. SAU hit .267 as a team and held the Wildcats to a negative percentage thanks to 12 total blocks.
Jon Guch and Nick Fox led the team with 10 kills apiece. Charlie Flynn had nine, Mikolaj Zielonka six and Cael Anderson five. Anthony Anderson was credited with 35 assits. Ethan Karban was given four assists to go along with 22 digs. Richard Reed IV and Anthony Anderson each picked up five digs. Flynn and Fox were each in on six blocks.
The Bees also played well in the season-opening 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 loss to the No. 12-ranked Spartans. Fox put down nine kills. Flynn was credited with five and Guch and Zielonka each had four. Anthony Anderson paced the team with 18 assists while Karban picked up 12 digs.
"I'm so excited and proud of our team today," said head coach Ray Green following Friday's matches. "We stepped up our play against a very good Missouri Baptist team, and then continued improving for the win in the second match. Our defense and passing game is coming along, our attack is getting quicker, and our blocking is amazing. It was a great opening day to the season."
Saturday began with a tough 22-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 15-11 loss to Graceland. Guch and Fox again led the way with 10 kills each. Zielonka put down six and Cael Anderson had five. Anthony Anderson (21) and Karban (12) led the team in assists and digs, respectively. Guch and Dillon Markley each came up with six digs.
The two-day event ended with a 25-20, 25-13, 25-16 loss to UHSP. Fox had a team-high seven digs while GUch and Zielonka each finished with six. Ethan Chausse handed out 15 assists while Karban came up with seven digs.
The Bees will play their home opener Monday against Augustana.