Lewis Advances To MIVA Semifinals With Sweep Of Quincy

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis men’s volleyball advanced to the Semifinals of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tournament with a sweep of Quincy 30-16, 30-23, 30-24 on Saturday evening at Neil Carey Arena.

Senior Nathan Klaas (Orland Park, Ill./Sandburg) led Lewis with 12 kills and eight digs. He had just one hitting error to hit .688. Ian Karbiener (Orlando, Fla./Olympia), fresh off being named MIVA Freshman of the Year earlier this week, had 10 kills, seven digs and two aces. Junior Brian Muesenfechter (St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers) totaled nine kills. Senior Rikki Garma (Lihue, Hawaii/Ost) had seven digs.

“I thought the guys were solid, consistent and focused tonight,” head coach Dan Friend said. “We’re playing good volleyball going into Wednesday.”

Lewis will play at Loyola in the MIVA Semifinals on Wednesday evening.

Quincy held their only lead of the match in the second set. Lewis used a 6-0 swing to take a 10-6 lead. It was a 12-10 Lewis advantage when the Flyers scored seven of the next eight points to take a 19-11 advantage. Karbiener had two aces during the stretch.

Quincy advanced within one at 19-18 in the third set but a Quincy service error and a solo block by senior Craig Boller (Bartlett, Ill./Bartlett) helped give Lewis breathing room.

Lewis out-hit Quincy .384 to .103.

“All of our pin hitters did a nice job tonight,” Friend said.

Quincy ends their season with a 15-18 record. Lewis improves to 19-9.