CHESTERFIELD, Mo. -- Missouri S&T Men's Volleyball swept the Maryville Saints 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 in the inaugural Great Lakes Valley Conference Championship match to earn the program's first conference title.
The Miners started the match strong, recording four kills and two blocks in the opening eight points to take a 6-2 advantage. Kills from
Aaron Sallade (Palatine, Ill./William Fremd) and
Nate Meyer (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey) helped the Miners maintain their edge, with the Miners eventually extending the lead to 20-13 after a pair of Sallade kills and a double block from Meyer and
Tyler Johnwick (Lombard, IL/Glenbard East).
Caleb Rohlwing (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) and
Camden Seaver (Palatine, IL/William Fremd) closed out the set, with both seniors recording two kills in the final points to give S&T the opening frame 25-19.
The Saints held the edge early in set two, staying a point ahead until a kill and an ace by Rohlwing put the Miners in front 6-5. Sallade, Meyer, and Rohlwing combined for eight kills in the ensuing points, trading points with Maryville up to 16-16. Meyer put down an ace and combined with Rohlwing on a double block to lead a 3-0 run that put S&T ahead19-16. The Miners closed the set on a 6-1 run, picking up a pair of double blocks late to grab another 25-19 set victory.
The Miners started set three on a hot streak, picking up six kills and a double block as they built an 8-3 lead. The Saints chipped away at the Miners lead, cutting the deficit to three. Two kills from Sallade along with an ace by Meyer put the Miners ahead 16-10, with that lead continuing to grow after kills by Sallade and Johnwick increased the lead to 20-12. The Saints attempted a comeback, but S&T held them off, winning the championship on a kill by Sallade.
Grant Edmonds (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison) tied the school record for assists in a three-set match, recording 42. Sallade and Meyer both hit above .400, recording hitting percentages of .464 and .409. The two combined for 33 points, with Sallade leading the team in kills with 16. Meyer put down 11 kills, adding 2 service aces and a career-high six blocks.
Bartosz Chmielewski (Aurora, IL/Metea Valley) had a season-high in digs, leading the team with 15.
All-Tournament Team
Aaron Sallade (Palatine, Ill./William Fremd)
Nate Meyer (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey)
Caleb Rohlwing (Barrington, Ill./Barrington)
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