BLUEFIELD – Men's volleyball opened the 2020 campaign Saturday night with a strong effort against Erskine College at the Dome Gymnasium. The Rams battled hard throughout the match, but in the end the Flying Fleet took a three-set win, 20-25, 28-30, 22-25.
Rams scored the first point of the season on an Alberto Chiaparini kill and the teams battled early with Erskine moving out to an early three-point lead. The Rams cut it to one before the Flying Fleet moved back ahead by four at 12-8 at which time Bluefield Coach Alfonso Alvarez called time to regroup. The Rams charged back and pulled to within one, trailing 14-13, but again Erskine pulled ahead by three. The Flying Fleet again pushed their lead to four at 20-16 and BC used its final time out of the set. A Devon Robinson kill made it a two-point game at 20-18, but the Rams could not get any closer and Erskine took the opening set 25-20.
The Rams took charge in the second set and quickly opened a six-point lead behind strong play at the net by Alex Duron and the serving of Chiaparini. Erskine fought back and closed the gap to a point before the Rams moved back ahead by three. EC eventually tied things at 10 and took its first lead 11-10. The teams continued to battle throughout the set with the squad exchanging the lead. BC took a 20-18 lead, forcing Erskine to use its first time out. EC retook the lead late and the Rams rallied to tie at 23 and took a 24-23 lead on a Chiaparini kill. In a marathon set Erskine won 30-28.
In set three Erskine jumped ahead by three only to see Bluefield draw even at six and take its first lead at 8-7. Midway through the set the teams were knotted at 13 before the Rams forged ahead 14-13 on an Erskine error. BC moved ahead by three 20-17, but the Flying Fleet would not lie down and tied things at 21 and retook the lead 22-21, forcing the Rams to call time. Erskine took a 24-21 lead and the Rams closed to 24-23, but the Fleet won the final point and the match.
Chiaparini led the way for Bluefield with 11 kills and four digs. Caleb Wood in his first match as a Ram had 19 assists. Colby Mutter, also in his first match as a Ram, led the team with five digs. Alex Duron had 17 kills, Devon Robinson in his first match had 12 and Carleek Owens added 10.