1/11/25
The Purple Raiders of Mount Union pull off the reverse sweep of defending D3 champs Cal Lutheran on the Kingsmen’s home floor on Friday night during the opening tournament weekend in California. Jack McLure had an outstanding match, smashing 15 kills, putting back 3 blocks, lifting 8 digs, and controlling the tempo of the 5-set match that seemed destined for defeat. Will Heeney posted 45 assists and Aaron Armour had 12 digs for the Purple Raiders in the enormous win.
CLU outpointed Mt. Union for the match 103-100 but succumbed in the fifth and final set 15-11. Jordan Cooper exploded for 26 kills for the defending champs, but it was not enough to stay ahead of a much-improved Raider squad.
Cal Lutheran is in the envious spot of every team on their schedule getting revved up to face them as the 24 champs, but it will make for some tough matches for them, especially early on in their schedule.
In addition to the Mt. Union players previously mentioned, Michael Bowler, Payton Koszelak, and Camden Weeg also made substantial contribution to the team win. Bowler posted 13 kills, Koszelak had 11 digs, and Weeg led the team in blocks with 4.
Michael Stahl had 15 kills for the Kingsmen and Ben Weber added 8. Keaton Hendry, the 6′ freshman from Campbell, California, got the start at setter and had 41 assists.
Mount Union stays on the road with a big match against UCSC on Saturday and Geneva, Messiah, Randolph Macon and Misericordia before returning home on the 21st for their home opener against Hiram at Timken Gym.
The Purple Raiders are sure to move up from their top 40 ranking at #38 after the win. Cal Lutheran was #9 in our preseason poll.