Men's volleyball earns first victory in program history

As The Master's University men's volleyball team continued to create buzz across campus with a series of impressive performances, there was an undeniable undertone.

Yes, the Mustangs provided must-see entertainment through three matches. But, if they had limited their service errors, they might have won. 

So it was fitting that, with TMU's first-ever victory within reach, Wyatt Bates found himself at the service line Saturday night. He was tasked with pushing the Mustangs over the final hurdle separating them from history. 

"My goal was just to keep them in and give our team a chance to play defense," Bates said.

Bates served the final four points as the Mustangs overcame a late three-point deficit to win Saturday's third set, 25-23, and make history with a 3-0 sweep over the University of St. Katherine.  

"Wyatt went on the back line and he wasn't thinking about, 'If I mess up, they have game point,'" said Master's head coach Allan Vince. "Instead he went back with the idea, 'If I get this in with some pace, they'll be out of system and we can control their attack.' And that's exactly what happened."

Bates and Brandon Botdorf led the Mustangs with nine kills each. Christjan Tallara followed with seven. After welcoming two NAIA top-10 opponents to the MacArthur Center in its first three matches and dropping all three by 3-0 scores, Master's opened Saturday by winning a set for the first time in program history.

"We felt a lot of momentum, and the momentum carried on to the next set," said Ezra Moore, who led TMU with 20 assists.

Master's middle Brett Norkus, who finished with six kills and three blocks, credited TMU's setters – Moore and Jacob Hafner – with putting the team's attackers in optimal position for most of the evening. Norkus also said TMU's blocking was much improved over its first three matches.

Vince agreed.

"Our middles closed the block," Vince said. "We were able to get two guys up on each attacker and that slowed the ball down."

Still, the Mustangs trailed 23-20 in the third set. Back-to-back St. Katherine errors gave the Mustangs life, and Bates increased the drama with an ace to even the score.

After another Firebird error, Botdorf closed out TMU's first win with a powerful kill. The crowd erupted.

"We came in hungry. We wanted this win and we knew tonight was our night," Norkus said. "We're all ecstatic right now. Crazy excited."