ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University men's volleyball team fell 3-0 (25-14, 25-18, 25-18) in its season opener to the Illinois Wesleyan University Titans. The Regents battled with the Titans in every set, finding themselves in an early deficit and battling their way back. Unfortunately, Illinois Wesleyan was also able to put together multiple late set runs that were too much for Rockford to overcome, which ultimately allowed Illinois Wesleyan to win the match in straight sets. The loss drops Rockford to 0-6 all-time against Illinois Wesleyan.
- The Titans got out to an 8-3 lead to open the match.
- Rockford was able to find its way back into the set with a 8-3 run that tied the set up at 11-11. The Regents received a kill-a-piece from Nathan Simons and Isaiah Dixon as well as a few Illinois Wesleyan errors to get back into the set.
- However, the Titans were able to go on a massive 14-3 run to close out the first set 25-14.
- Both teams opened the second set trading points, with Rockford able to get out to a slight 5-4 lead after a kill from Nathan Simons and block from Danny Karpenko put RU ahead.
- The Titans took control with a 9-3 run that gave them a commanding 14-7 lead, but Rockford responded with 6 straight points to pull themselves back into the set at 14-13. The Regents got 2 aces by Danny Karpenko, 1 kill by Isaiah Dixon and multiple Titan errors to creep back into the set.
- Unfortunately, the Titans followed that up with 6-straight points of their own to take a 20-13 lead and this would be too much to overcome for RU as Illinois Wesleyan took the second set 25-18.
- The Titans got out to a 7-3 lead to begin the third set, but Rockford was quickly able to erase that with a 7-3 run of its own to make it a 10-10 score.
- Illinois Wesleyan regained control with a quick 8-3 spurt to take an 18-13 lead late in the third set.
- Rockford was unable to get anything going in the late stages of the third set and the Titans were eventually able to hold on to take the third set 25-18 and win the match in straight sets.
