44-42 First Set Helps No. 15 Lewis Sweep Juniata
ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – The 15th ranked Flyers set a program record for most points in a single set by winning the opening frame against Juniata on Friday evening 44-42. The Flyers took the match in three, winning the next two sets by identical 30-25 scores.
The thrilling opening set featured 14 set points, 11 by Lewis and three by Juniata. After Lewis grabbed a 38-37 lead on a block by sophomore Matt Gallik (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) and senior Mike Iandolo (Orlando, Fla./Long Beach State), the teams sided out on 10 consecutive points. The set finally ended when freshman Ian Karbiener (Orlando, Fla./Olympia) delivered back-to-back kills for the Flyers.
“We’re good when it comes down to crunch time,” head coach Dan Friend said. “We didn’t back down, we kept pushing and that’s a strength for us. It’s a nice trait that will help us at the end of the season.”
Lewis had opportunities to put Juniata away early in the first set. However they surrendered a 26-22 lead to eventually fall behind 31-30 before the set really got interesting.
Juniata led the second set 10-6 only to see the Flyers chip their way back into it. Lewis tied it at 12, took a lead at 15-14 and then led by three at 20-17 when Juniata asked for time.
The third set was tied at 17 when Lewis pulled away with a 5-0 run.
Iandolo recorded 53 assists with six digs and four blocks. He helped the Flyers out-hit Juniata .313 to .194. Iandolo’s 53 assists was impressive, but short of his career-high in three set matches, 56 last season at IPFW.
Four Flyers finished with double-digit kills. Freshman Jay Petty (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) came off the bench to hit .450 with 10 kills and four digs in just two sets.
Sophomore Aaron Flick (North Ridgeville, Ohio/St. Edward) led Lewis with 16 kills while hitting .577 and recording four blocks. Senior Nathan Klaas (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) added a double-double of 13 digs and 12 kills. Karbiener hit .333 with 12 kills.
Senior Rikki Garma (Lihue, Hawaii/Ost) totaled 14 digs.
“Rikki did a nice job as a court leader with his passing and defense,” Friend said. “He controlled the whole backcourt.”
Juniata falls to 5-9 while Lewis improves to 13-6. The Flyers are at Loyola on Tuesday.
