FOND DU LAC, Wis. – The Calvin University men's volleyball team opened the two-day Sabre Classic hosted by Marian University (Wis.) with a pair of defeats on Friday.
 
Calvin (0-5) lost the opener 3-0 to UW-Stevens Point (2-3) by the scores of 25-17, 25-21 and 27-25 on Friday afternoon. On Friday evening, the Knights fell 3-1 to Marian (4-0) by the scores of 25-21, 25-18, 19-25 and 25-16.
 
UWSP 3, Calvin 0
 
The Knights opened the day with a 3-0 defeat to the Pointers from UW-Stevens Point (UWSP).
 
The Pointers took the opening set 25-17 and then overcame an early 14-10 Calvin lead in the second set to take win 25-21 and take a 2-0 overall lead.
 
UWSP led 24-20 late in the third, but Calvin saved four straight match points to tie the score at 24-24. After the Knights saved another match point to tie the score at 25-25, the Pointers were able to secure the final two points and the win with two kills.
 
Calvin hit .180 on the attack for the match with Gabriel Laughlin (Grand Rapids, Mich./West Michigan Aviation Academy) leading the way with eight kills. Cameron Dogger (Holland, Mich./Zion Christian) led the team with 20 assists, while Parker Steele (Boscobel, Wis./Boscobel) recorded eight digs.
 
Marian 3, Calvin 1
 
In the second match of the day, the Knights fell to the hosts from Marian University in four sets.
 
The Sabres took the first two sets, but the Knights used a strong close to the second set to springboard them into an early lead in the third. While Marian tried to get back into the set, the Knights held strong to take the third game 25-19 and force a fourth set.
 
Marian took the momentum back early in the fourth set, however, building an early lead and held off the Knights the rest of the way to secure the win.
 
Brady Gudauskas (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley) led Calvin with 13 kills, while Nick Bultje (Byron Center, Mich./South Christian) added seven kills and two blocks. Ezekiel Jalan (Oconomowoc, Wis./Arrowhead) led the team with 21 assists. Steele finished with nine digs.
 
COACH'S COMMENT: "Was a tough first day of the tournament for us," Calvin head men's volleyball coach Spencer Fredrick said. "I thought Nick (Bultje) balled out for us to give us some good opportunities on some of those long runs. We're looking forward to our match tomorrow to try to finish the tournament strong."
 
NEXT UP: Calvin men's volleyball will return to action tomorrow (Saturday, January 25) when it plays Westminster College (Mo.) to conclude the two-day Sabre Classic at Marian. The match is scheduled to start at 11:00 AM (CT).