April 14, 2012

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Thanks to a sweep of Grand Canyon (25-15, 25-20, 25-16) on Saturday (April 14) evening, No. 9 Lewis men’s volleyball earned a share of the 2012 regular season Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Championship. Lewis shares the title with Ohio State, who also finished with a 9-3 record in the MIVA.  
 
“The body of work over the entire season has been fantastic,” Lewis head coach Dan Friend said of winning the regular season title. “I’m excited for the guys and the work they’ve put in.”
 
The Buckeyes and Flyers split the season series however Ohio State wins the tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed in the tournament thanks to defeating Lewis in three sets. The Flyers’ win over Ohio State came in four sets. As the No. 2 seed, Lewis will host No. 7 seed Quincy on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. in a MIVA Tournament Quarterfinal match.
 
Saturday’s win over Grand Canyon was Senior Night for the Lewis program. Omar Sanchez (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield South/Quincy), Aaron Flick (North Ridgeville, Ohio/St. Edward) and Matt Gallik (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) were honored before the match. Each took that energy on to the court and had Senior Nights to remember. Sanchez finished with a career-high seven kills and eight digs. Flick hit .467 with eight kills and two blocks. Gallik hit .636 with seven kills and four blocks.
 
“The contributions to the program from the seniors has been instrumental,” Friend said. “What they brought tonight on the floor is what they’ve brought the entire time they’ve been here.”
 
Lewis held a statistical advantage over the Antelopes in hitting percentage (.415-.185), aces (3-1), digs (33-31) and blocks (8-5). The closet set was the second. The Flyers pulled away with a 5-0 run after Grand Canyon advanced within one at 18-17.
 
The Flyers finish the regular season 23-6 overall and a perfect 14-0 at home. Grand Canyon falls to 15-16 (5-7 MIVA).