1/23/2026
In a match that embodied everything great about college volleyball, No. 14 Loras outlasted Milwaukee School of Engineering 3-2 (25-21, 15-25, 24-26, 25-19, 17-15) in a thrilling contest that went down to the final point. The victory showcased the resilience and determination of the Duhawks, who refused to let a devastating third-set loss derail their momentum in a match that featured 15 momentum swings and exceptional individual performances.
Loras seized control early, jumping out to commanding leads in the opening set behind the explosive attack of Roman Rothermel and Elijah Passey. Rothermel, who finished with 17 kills and a .433 hitting percentage, and Passey combined for six kills during a critical first-set run that gave the Duhawks a 13-6 advantage. Setter Evan Dziadkowiec orchestrated the offense masterfully, distributing 48 assists throughout the match while adding 13 digs. Loras maintained control down the stretch, closing out the opening set 25-21 to draw first blood.
MSOE responded emphatically in the second set, flipping the script with a complete performance that highlighted their offensive firepower. The Raiders exploded for a 10-2 run that turned a 2-2 tie into a 12-4 advantage, with setter Parker Rings orchestrating a balanced attack that kept Loras off balance. MSOE registered three service aces during the set and limited their errors, cruising to a dominant 25-15 victory that evened the match and shifted momentum completely.
The third set provided the match’s most dramatic moments as both teams traded haymakers in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the wire. Loras built a 23-17 lead and appeared poised to take a commanding 2-1 set advantage, but MSOE mounted an incredible comeback. Callan Harris, who finished with a match-high 22 kills despite hitting just .255, sparked the rally with clutch kills. Gregory Kubon and Matthew Schultz combined for a critical block, and Seth Thomas delivered momentum-shifting kills. The Raiders reeled off seven consecutive points to tie the set at 23-23, ultimately prevailing 26-24 in a heartbreaking loss for the Duhawks.
Instead of folding after the devastating third-set collapse, Loras displayed tremendous mental toughness in the fourth set. Connor Jaral, who posted 15 kills on a .382 hitting percentage, led a decisive run that broke the set open. Bo Brainerd III added power in the middle with 10 kills on an impressive .455 hitting percentage, the match’s best among players with double-digit attempts. The Duhawks dominated the final stages, taking the fourth set 25-19 to force a winner-take-all fifth set.
The fifth set delivered maximum drama as exhausted players from both sides left everything on the court. Rothermel continued his remarkable performance with crucial kills throughout the deciding set, finishing with a team-high 19.5 points for the match. MSOE’s Filip Topor, who hit an astounding .615 for the match with nine kills, kept the Raiders competitive. The teams traded points relentlessly, with neither able to gain separation. At 15-15, the match hung in the balance before Rothermel delivered another kill to give Loras a 16-15 lead. MSOE committed a bad set on match point, ending the epic battle at 17-15 and sending the Duhawks into jubilant celebration.
Individual performances throughout the match reached elite levels. For MSOE, Thomas finished with 17 kills while hitting .481, and Rings distributed 50 assists while adding 12 digs. Schultz led the Raiders with 2.5 total blocks in the losing effort. For Loras, Dziadkowiec’s 48 assists powered the offense, while Brady Oberfoell contributed 10 digs and Brainerd III paced the team with 2.0 total blocks alongside his offensive production.
This early-season thriller demonstrated why volleyball at the highest level captivates fans. Both teams fought with incredible heart, executed at a high level under immense pressure, and showed the competitive fire that defines elite programs. Loras stayed unbeaten with a hard-fought victory that showcased their ability to overcome adversity, bouncing back from a crushing third-set loss to claim triumph in an unforgettable five-set battle that neither team nor their fans will soon forget.