Eagles Pick Up 3-0 Sweep Over Edward Waters

Waleska, Ga. - Reinhardt University men's volleyball made quick work of Edward Waters on Thursday night in Waleska, sweeping EWU 3-0 behind an efficient attack and strong serving. The Eagles controlled the match with set scores of 25-19, 25-21 and 25-23, hitting .291 as a team while limiting Edward Waters to a .212 attack percentage.

Reinhardt finished with 41 kills, 9 service aces and 6 team blocks, using pressure from the service line and steady side-out play to keep Edward Waters on its heels. The Eagles also owned a 30-21 edge in digs, extending rallies and turning defensive stops into transition points throughout the match. Edward Waters totaled 32 kills, 1 ace and 4 blocks but was hampered by 14 service errors.

In the opening set, Reinhardt created separation late behind a surge from outside hitter Gabriel Gutierrez. Gutierrez produced multiple kills and added a service ace during a key run that pushed the Eagles out in front. Edward Waters tried to stay close, but an attack error by De'Aundre Williams closed the frame at 25-19 and gave Reinhardt early control of the match.

Set 2 followed a similar script as the Eagles again leaned on their serve and first-ball offense to maintain a slim but steady cushion. Gutierrez continued to apply pressure with both kills and aces through the middle of the set, forcing the Tigers out of system. With the score tight in the closing points, opposite hitter Denny Martinez delivered the final kill to seal a 25-21 win and send Reinhardt to a 2-0 lead.

Edward Waters mounted its best push in the third, riding the play of outside hitter Richard Hendricks to stay within striking distance. The Tigers built late momentum, but Reinhardt responded with a composed rally, turning to Gutierrez and Martinez for timely kills in the closing stages. With the Eagles on match point, an attack error by Hendricks ended the comeback bid and secured the 25-23 decision and straight-sets victory.

Gutierrez led Reinhardt with 12 kills, 4 service aces and 3 digs, finishing with a match-high 16.0 points. Martinez added 8 kills, 1 block assist and 1 dig for 8.5 points, while Jakub Aniolczyk contributed 6 kills, 2 aces and a team-high 6 digs to reach 8.0 points. The front line combined for 6 blocks as the Eagles limited their own attack errors to 16 in three sets.

For Edward Waters, Hendricks paced the offense with 11 kills, 4 digs and 2 block assists for a team-best 13.0 points, and middle blocker Omari Morris chipped in 6 kills and 3 block assists for 7.5 points. Still, the Tigers' lone service ace and double-digit service errors made it difficult to sustain pressure. The win gives the Eagles momentum at home as they continue to build rhythm in conference and nonconference play.