IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine men's volleyball team was able to put the USC Trojans on their heels Thursday night as the Eagles looked to earn their second MPSF victory of the year.  The Eagles played well and took a 2-1 lead into the fourth set but ultimately lost a heartbreaker as the Trojans escaped with a 3-2 comeback after winning the fifth set, 15-13.

Senior setter Chandler Gibb quarterbacked the Eagles with 41 assists and 12 digs while also catching the USC defense off guard with three well-placed kills.

"Really impressed with Chandler's defense again and him leading the team with 12 digs," said CUI head coach Shawn Patchell. "It's a tough loss. We played well enough to win, but just a little lack of experience closing it out and finishing a good team off. We're getting better."

Zachary Meyer led CUI with 14 kills and freshman Luke Krzmarzick added a dozen while hitting .308 on the night.  It was Meyer's third straight game with double-digit kills.

After USC won the first set, 25-21, the Eagles closed out the second set 25-23 with Jordan Hoppe going on a serving spree.  Hoppe finished the night with 10 kills and a pair of aces as well as four blocks and three digs. Noah Lassandro capped off the second set with a well-placed kill down the middle to tie it up at one set apiece.

CUI (5-13, 1-5 MPSF) matched USC's intensity again in the third set, fending off the visitors to move in front, 2-1 after another 25-23 decision. Unfortunately, the well went dry after that. 

For most of the evening, the two teams played close to the vest and the lead fluctuated between one to three points for either side.  USC broke that trend by responding with an impressive 25-15 win in set four to force a deciding fifth set. 

The Trojans (8-7, 2-3 MPSF) built an 8-6 advantage when the teams switched benches, and the Eagles stayed within striking distance. But with USC clinging to a 14-13 advantage, the Trojans were able to let a stray kill attempt go out of bounds to eke out the hard-fought match.

CUI will be home for four matches over spring break.  The Eagles host the St. Katherine Firebirds and the Dominican Stars (IL) in a doubleheader at CU Arena on Wednesday, March 6 starting at 4 p.m. Then on Friday, March 8, Concordia will host a rare 1 p.m. match against Ottawa (AZ) before UC San Diego visits at 6 p.m.

For the full CUI men's volleyball schedule, click here.