LMU Athletics
HARROGATE – The Lincoln Memorial University men’s volleyball opened their 2022 campaign with a convincing sweep (25-23, 25-20, 25-14) over Purdue Fort Wayne on Saturday night at Mary Mars Gymnasium.
The Railsplitters hit a staggering .438 on the night while the Blue and Gray defense forced the Mastodons to miss wide as the visitors only hit .095 for the contest. Lincoln Memorial recorded a total of 37 kills to the 24 kills tallied by Purdue Fort Wayne.
The Mastodons jumped out to a 5-3 lead to open the match, but the Railsplitters retook the lead at 8-6 on a quick 3-0 run. Both programs traded rallies before Purdue Fort Wayne found themselves up 20-18. Lincoln Memorial tallied six of the next eight points as LMU captured set one, 25-23.
The Splitters kept up their high-octane offense in the second set as they jumped out to a 4-2 lead early. The Mastodons crawled their way back into the set as they brought it to within one with LMU up 12-11. Using a quick 3-1 run, the Railsplitters were able to create some separation as they took a 16-12 lead. Lincoln Memorial’s offense proved too much for Purdue Fort Wayne as the Splitters won set two, 25-21.
The final set was all Blue and Gray as the Railsplitters broke out to a 8-2 lead to open the third set. The Mastodons pulled to within three, but Lincoln Memorial kept the pressure of the defense up and the home court rocking as they captured the third set, and sweep, 25-14, over Purdue Fort Wayne to open the season.
Cole Campisano and Justin Sharfenaker powered the Railsplitter offense with nine kills each with Campisano recorded a .615 hitting percentage. Freshman Kohl Kutsch got his first appearance and start as a Splitter and finished the evening with 28 assists, three kills and four blocks in his debut. Fresh off an international appearance, redshirt freshman Matthew Gentry lead the Railsplitter defense with seven total blocks and added five kills.
The Railsplitters will stay home as they welcome in-state rival King to Mary Mars Gymnasium on Tuesday, January 25 with first serve at 7:00 p.m. EST.