Highlighted by 18 kills by freshman Landon Shorts, the Stevenson men's volleyball team clinched the top seed in the upcoming Continental Volleyball Conference tournament with a four-set win over Eastern Mennonite on Senior Night Wednesday at Owings Mills Gymnasium.
The Mustangs (23-7, 11-1 CVC), who have appeared in all five CVC tournaments, finished unbeaten at home through the regular season with a perfect 8-0.
Shorts recorded a kill and a service ace as the Mustangs totaled four unanswered points to force a Royals timeout in the first set. Shorts, who holds the single season record for service aces, finished with two.
The Royals (12-12, 5-7 CVC) Christian Taylor scored the Royals first point out of the timeout as the team chipped away at their deficit and tied the set, 8-8. A kill by senior Kyle Pottieger gave Stevenson back the lead, and sparked a 7-1 Mustang run. The run was highlighted by five kills, two from both Pottieger and Shorts, and one from senior Rob Wingert.
Eastern Mennonite cut the score to within three but five attack errors paired with kills from four different Mustangs propelled Stevenson to a 25-18 victory in the first set.
The two teams were back and forth in the second set as the set featured 14 ties and eight lead changes. After tying the game 19-19, kills by Tim Callahan and Travis Abele gave the Royals a two point lead, the largest of the set. The Mustangs made it a one-point game four times, the last at 24-23, but another kill from Callahan sealed the second win for Eastern Mennonite.
The teams picked up where they left off in the third, tying the set at every point through 6-6. After Pottieger and freshman Jason Gardner recorded back-to-back kills, Stevenson was able to pull away. The Royals cut the score to just one, 13-12 after a Mustang error, but Stevenson responded with five-straight points to once again extend their lead.
The Mustangs closed the set, 25-17 on kills from senior Patrick Schuyler and junior Nate Ellis.
The fourth featured 11 ties the last coming at 14-14 after a Mustang error. Stevenson capitalized on a pair of errors from Eastern Mennonite, before going on an 8-3 run that included kills from Pottieger and Shorts.
Back-to-back kills from Scott Brigham halted the Mustang run and swung the momentum to the guests. The Royals were able to get as close as two, 24-22, but an error sealed the match for Stevenson.
The Mustangs totaled a .368 hitting percentage, holding Eastern Mennonite to .218.
In pregame ceremonies, the Mustangs honored seniors Pottieger, Schuyler, and Wingert. The trio has led the Mustangs to an 90-42 record with three 20-plus win seasons. They have also led the team to three appearances in the ECAC Championship game, winning two titles.
Stevenson will host the Continental Volleyball Conference championship weekend on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9. Game times to be announced.
STORY COURTESY OF STEVENSON UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION OFFICE