MEN'S VOLLEYBALL FALLS TO HIGH-POWERED GRAND VIEW SQUAD

Des Moines, IA - The Graceland University men's volleyball team stayed in pace with a high powered Grand View University squad in a tough NAIA North matchup on Wednesday.

A hopeful tone for the match was set early as the Jackets took a quick lead over the Vikings within the first few rallies. Grand View managed to overpower Graceland and end the match with a 25-17 first set victory, taking a 1-0 set lead over GU.

The two squads ground away at each other, in an exciting second set. The highly touted GVU team managed to squeeze by GU and a grab a 27-25 victory in extra rallies.

Trailing by two sets, the Jackets fought hard in a competitive set three but, ultimately, fell in another close match of extra points, 26-24.

"We played the best volleyball we have played all year," said head coach Chad McDole. "I am super proud of this team. In the last two sets we were beat by less than five points. We had our chance in set three put could not come out on top over GVU.

"I have to give credit to our passers because they played against one of the best, if not the best, serving team in the country. I am also happy with the decisions that our setters made throughout the match.  Overall, it was a win for me."

Middle hitter Jon Mueller led the GU offense with nine kills against the Viking defense. Following Mueller was DJ Wong tallying seven kills and Danny Ly adding six.

The Jackets return to action on Friday, February 28th when they travel to St. Louis, Missouri for the two-day Missouri Baptist University Tournament. Graceland will start the tournament against Missouri Baptist at 12pm.

Stay tuned to GUjackets.com for continuing coverage of the Graceland men's volleyball team and all Jacket athletics.