Men’s Volleyball | Wed, Apr. 12, 2023 at 2:45 PM
West Des Moines, IA – The Vikings would kick off the 2023 NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship pool play with a contest against the Jimmies of Jamestown University. The reigning National Champions would eliminate the Jimmies by a sweep with scores of, 25-16, 25-22, and 25-23.
Pool Play Schedule | Bracket | Tickets | Stream
Key Players…
Offensively, the Vikings had a balanced attacking sheet but were led by Daniel Galili (SO/Shomrat, Israel) who tabbed 11 kills. Nickolas Lima (FR/Curitiba, Brazil ) added 8, Bayron Valdez (JR/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) 6, Daniel Wong (SR/Campbell, CA ) 5, and Gioele Lacono had 4. Efficency-wise, Zeo Meyer (JR/Wheaton, IL ) had 4 kills at 1.000%. Valdez had 5 aces, and Meyer chipped in 24 assists, and 5 digs. Erick Villar Cordero (SR/Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) was reliable on defense for the Vikings with 5 digs.
Set 1: Grand View University 25 | Jamestown University 16
A slow start wouldn’t last long for the Vikings as Daniel Wong would get the scoring going with a kill. A big block by Wong and Bayron Valdez would give the Vikings just a touch under half dozen lead, 12-7. Valdez would keep the points coming as he found the gap for back-to-back service aces furthering the Viking’s lead 20-11. Set one of the 4th annual NAIA Men’s Volleyball National Championship would be capped off with a kill by Daniel Galili, 25-16.
Set 2: Grand View University 25 | Jamestown University 22
The second set would find Jamestown and the Vikings tied up at 6 all. A block by Wong and Galili would give the reigning National Champions a one-point advantage, 7-6. A scramble by Gioele Lacono would result in a kill and a 5-point advantage, 15-10. Valdez would get his 5th ace of the match resulting in a slightly more comfortable lead for the Vikings, 18-12. Vikings would pull in their second set over the Jimmies after Galili launched one down the side, 25-22.
Set 3: Grand View University 25 | Jamestown University 23
The Jimmies trying to stay alive in the tournament would put up a fight in the early serves of the 3rd set. Zeo Meyer would be unstoppable throughout the match grabbing another kill to give the Vikings a 10-7 lead. Another Viking back-to-back aces would be put into play by Galili to give the team a 17-13 advantage. Dalton Dencklau (SR/Lehigh, IA ) would give the Vikings great defense, resulting in a…
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