ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. (WLCSports.com) - Wisconsin Lutheran College opened its 2023 season on Wednesday by securing its first victory in program history, a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind non-conference win over Bard at Stevenson Athletic Center.
The Warriors (1-0), who are in their third season as a NCAA Division III program, defeated the Raptors (0-1) in come-from-behind, five-set fashion by scores of 25-22, 24-26, 23-25, 25-22, 15-9 in the season opener for both teams.
WLC posted a program-record .202 hitting percentage in the match behind 45 kills, 21 errors, and 119 attempts. Wisconsin Lutheran, which tallied double-digit kill totals in both the first and fourth sets, hit .500 in the decisive fifth set on eight kills, one error, and 14 attacks.
Freshman
Martell Hines Jr. (Chicago Heights, Ill.) collected a team-record 13 kills, while fellow freshman
Drew Wempner (West Allis, Wis.) added 11 kills, five block assists, and four service aces. Freshman
Marcus Fitzsimmons (Muskego, Wis.) hit a match-best .368 on eight kills, one error, and 19 attempts.
Sophomore
James Biedenbender (La Crosse, Wis.) collected a career-high 22 assists and sophomore
Jay Thammavongsa (Franklin, Wis.) added 12 helpers.Â
Freshman
Trevor Salutric (Lockport, Ill.) recorded a team-high seven digs, while junior
Grant Wempner (Garden Grove, Calif.) tallied four block assists.
Ty McGlynn had 17 kills and Angel Obergh registered a double-double of 15 kills and 10 digs for BC. Bard hit .121 for the match behind 41 kills, 28 errors, and 107 attempts.
The Warriors are in Albany, New York on Friday for a 6 p.m. CT match against Russell Sage (0-1). Live coverage links will be available for the non-conference contest at WLCSports.com.
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