IRVINE, Calif. – The Concordia men's volleyball team kicked off the 2020 season with a win over NAIA program, Saint Katherine. It was an all-around team effort as 22 players made an appearance, including 10 who made their CUI debut.
 
"To get out there and work those (first game nerves) out and get the opportunity to settle in was a really good experience" said freshman outside hitter JT DeMure, who registered three kills and hit .500.
 
As a team, the Eagles hit .354, the best percentage in a CUI season opener since 2016 and held the Firebirds to an .024 clip. A total of 16 players registered a kill, 13 collected a dig or block, and eight players had at least one ace.
 
Concordia made quick work of Saint Katherine in the first, holding the Firebirds to a .000 hitting percentage while the Eagles hit a sizzling .435, led by senior Darcy Taig who had four kills to go along with two aces.
 
Set two was no different as the Eagles sprinted out to a 12-2 advantage after a 7-0 service run from Mason Mullins. The redshirt freshman middle blocker ended the night going a perfect five-for-five and had three blocks and two aces. Junior Owen Chun collected two of his four kills late in the set to push CUI to a 25-9 win.
 
"I think the first and second set, we were just laser focused, a little bit of break in concentration in the third and then came back in the fourth and we were ready to win" added junior middle blocker Noah Lassandro.
 
Similar to the first two sets, Concordia erupted to a 16-7 lead. Zachary Meyer took charge in the fourth, delivering five kills and had a block. The Eagles ended on the set on an 8-0 run after a strong serving performance from freshman setter Christian Oviedo and back-to-back kills from Gil Herold.
 
"Tonight was a good opening night, we got to see a lot of players play, a lot of different line-ups" said Concordia head coach Shawn Patchell. "It was a good start especially going up to Santa Barbara to play three really good teams from the Big West Conference. Looking forward to that and off and running.
 
Concordia heads on the road for a big week, taking part in the UCSB Asics Invitational from Jan. 9-11.