Lindenwood Men’s Volleyball Makes Waves Against CSUN
The Lindenwood Men’s Volleyball team pulled off an impressive upset against #12 CSUN, winning in four thrilling sets at Hyland Arena. The final scores were 23-25, 30-28, 28-26, and 25-20, showcasing the Lions’ resilience and teamwork.
Owen Walsh shone brightly, leading with 14 kills and an outstanding hitting percentage of .722. Zach Solomon was also crucial, recording a match-high 47 assists and tying for service aces by scoring three, alongside Brendan Louthain.
The match was a true nail-biter. In the first set, the score was tied 18 times, with seven lead changes. Sadly, the Lions narrowly lost the first set after CSUN pulled ahead with a late 5-1 run.
In the second set, the Lions fought back. They were down 14-11 but rallied with a 3-0 run led by Walsh and Solomon. The set saw more exchanges of points, but Lindenwood ultimately clinched it thanks to Walsh’s back-to-back kills, tying the match at one set each.
The third set was just as intense. After trailing 17-13, Lindenwood tightened up their defense. With strong blocks and key kills from Louthain and Solomon, the Lions managed to pull ahead and close the set at 28-26, taking a crucial 2-1 lead.
In the final set, Lindenwood started strong, establishing a 5-0 run and maintaining that lead. They ultimately finished with a score of 25-20, sealing the victory against a ranked opponent.
Coach Joe Kosciw praised his team’s effort: “Tonight was a great battle for our home opener. Our players showed grit and trust in each other, which helped us succeed.”
As for the stats, Lindenwood achieved a hitting percentage of .350 and made a notable 11.5 blocks. Amir Grant was particularly impactful, leading the blocks with four and contributing 11 kills. Alongside Louthain’s 12 kills and Whiteside’s 13, the Lions demonstrated a well-rounded offensive attack.
This victory marks an important step for Lindenwood this season, especially as they prepare for their next match against Menlo College.
Historically, upsets like this have energized Nathaniel Washington’s coaching strategy, showing that with teamwork and determination, the unexpected is always possible in sports. Data from recent seasons points to a trend of underdog teams surprising higher-ranked opponents, making for thrilling matchups.
As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be keen to see if Lindenwood can maintain this momentum. Their next match will be crucial not just for standings but for building confidence and cohesion as a team.
For more insights on collegiate volleyball trends, check out the latest reports from the NCAA.
