BLUEFIELD – Men's volleyball returned to the Bluefield University campus for its first match since March 2022, and the Rams claimed a come-from-behind five set win over the University of Rio Grande Red Storm, Tuesday evening at the Dome Gymnasium.
INSIDE THE MATCH

• In the opening set the teams contested each point before Rio pulled out to a 9-6 lead. The Red Storm went on to control the opening set and claim a 25-14 win.
• The Rams raced to a 4-0 lead in set #2. An ace by Noah Clements put BU up 12-7 and the Rams proceeded to take a 17-9 lead on a kill by General Smith. The Red Storm pulled to within four before an ace by Kyle Pietrzak gave the Rams a 22-16 advantage. Kemani Riley's kill made it 23-16 and Pietrzak served another ace to win the set 25-16.
• Rio Grande forged back to win the third set 25-20, pulling away late to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
• Set four the teams battled each point until Bluefield had a 5-0 run to take an 11-6 lead. Rio battled back to knot the set and the set was tied at each point from 17 to 21 until Rio closed in on match point with a 23-21 lead. The teams battled, Bluefield retook the lead and claimed a 27-25 win and force a deciding fifth set.
• In the race to 15 the Rams led 8-6 when the teams switched sides of the court. BU went on a 7-4 run to take the final set and the match 15-10.

LEADERS

• Benedict Somes had a career high 40 assists.
• Kyle Pietrzak led the front line with 17 kills. Noah Clements and Mason Lloyd each had 12 kills.
• Colby Mutter had a team-high 11 digs..

NEXT IN LINE

• The Rams take to the court Saturday afternoon against Midway University. First serve at the Dome is scheduled for high noon.