HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Calvin University men's volleyball team fell in five sets by the scores of 27-25, 22-25, 23-25, 25-20 and 15-7 against Virginia Wesleyan at Juniata College on Friday.
 
Calvin (3-12) battled late to take a 24-23 lead, but Virginia Wesleyan (6-10) held off two set points before winning the final three points to secure a 27-25 win.
 
The Knights fought back to win the second set, and then came back from a late 21-19 deficit to take the third set 25-23 to lead 2-1 overall in the match.
 
Calvin built an early lead in the fourth set as it looked to end the match, a but a big run by Virginia Wesleyan helped the Marlins tie the match with a 25-20 set-four win.
 
The Marlins opened the fifth set with five quick points, which the Knights could not overcome the rest of the way as Virginia Wesleyan closed out the win.
 
Nick Bultje (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian) led the attack with 13 kills and a .522 attack percentage. Gabriel Laughlin (Grand Rapids, Mich./West Michigan Aviation Academy) added eight kills.
 
Cameron Dogger (Holland, Mich./Zion Christian) led the Knights in assists (36) and digs (10).
 
COACH'S COMMENT: "Even down a couple of our starters, we played really well," Calvin head men's volleyball coach Spencer Fredrick said. "Especially Andrew Pigatti (Crown Point, Ind./Illiana Christian), who filled in at libero. Also great performance from Nick (Bultje). A lot of promise coming from this team, which is the important thing."
 
NEXT UP: Calvin men's volleyball returns to action tomorrow (Saturday, March 9) when it plays a pair of games at Juniata. The Knights will face Nazareth at 11:00 AM, followed by a match against Juniata at 5:00 PM.