The Master's men's volleyball team knocked off the three-time defending NAIA National Runner-Up, and current No. 2 team in the country, Benedictine Mesa Saturday in four sets in Queen Creek, Ariz.
The Mustangs (5-0) hit .406 as a team over the four sets, holding the Redhawks to .186 in the 25-19, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19 victory. TMU had the advantage in kills (52-40), service aces (9-8) and blocks (8-5).
"We started off a bit slower today but found a way to push through at the right moments," said TMU Head Coach
Jared Goldberg. "Throughout the weekend we put great service pressure on our opponents and it really helped our defense."
The Master's, ranked No. 5 in the nation, have played five ranked opponents in each of their five matches of the season, but none have been bigger than Friday night's three-set win over No. 3 Park (MO) followed by Saturday's win over No. 2 Benedictine.
Braden Van Groningen led the Mustangs with 12 kills, with both
Diego Perez and
Isaac Seltzer getting nine each.
Patrick Paragas, the reigning GSAC Setter of the Week, dished 42 assists and had a team-high nine digs.
Will Avera led TMU with five blocks.
"I thought
Patrick Paragas did a great job running the offense and both middles (Avera and
Mason Mullins) were untouchable," Goldberg said.
The Master's will next play NCAA Division I CSUN on Friday at the Matadome in Northridge, Calif. First serve is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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