MISHAWAKA, Ind. — The Bethel Pilots (1-1) split day one of the Adidas GameOne Pilot Invitational in the Gates Gymnasium Friday night with a loss to Cumberland (Tenn.) (2-1) 3-0 and a win over the Judson Eagles (2-1) 3-1.
VS CUMBERLAND (TENN.)
The Bethel Pilots went on a four-point run in the first set, ending with a kill by Thomas Dunkley. The Phoenix managed to battle back to tie the score at 10-10 following an attack error by Dunkley.
Attackers McGwire Eigenrauch, Christian Woumnga, and Thomas Dunkley went on a three-point run to bring Bethel’s score 20-22. The Pilots lost the first set down by four, 25-21.
At the onset of set two, Jibbe Boeren got the first kill for the Pilots, tying the score 1-1. Following Bethel’s first timeout, Christian Woumnga scored on a kill to bring the score to 11-6, with Bethel trailing.
The Phoenix maintained a solid lead, and Jibbe Boeren got the last kill for the Pilots, bringing their point total to 17. The University of the Cumberlands won the second set 25-17.
In the third set, Bethel lead 2-0 thanks to a service and an attack error by the Phoenix. Jibbe Boeren got the first earned point for the Pilots.
The Phoenix continued to push back and led the score 11-6 at Bethel’s first timeout. Thomas Dunkley got a kill, assisted by Maik Herbst, to bring the score 11-8.
Christian Woumnga further decreased the point deficit, earning a kill to bring the score to 14-12.
The Pilots lost the third set 25-23, after battling point for point with the Phoenix.
VS JUDSON (ILL.)
The Bethel Pilots got the first kill of the game (Thomas Dunkley), and Carson Moore followed suit with a kill, bringing the score 2-1 with the Pilots leading.
Bethel served aggressively, posting three aces in the first set. Sebastian Rodriguez got the first ace of the game as the Pilots trailed by one (12-11). Uros Miloradovic and Thomas Dunkley aced the Eagles as well.
The Pilots battled for the first set and won 26-24, ending with a pair of kills from Christian Woumnga and Thomas Dunkley.
In the second set, the tug-of-war for points continued between the two teams. Bethel gave up three points prior to its first timeout, and were down 10-6. Santana Royal-Benson got the first kill following the break, assisted by Maik Herbst.
Maik Herbst recorded the last service ace of the set. The Pilots lost the second set 25-20.
At the onset of the third, Ben Ritzema scored the first kill for the Pilots. Jibbe Boeren jumpstarted a four-point run for Bethel with a kill, assisted by Ritzema. Thomas
Dunkley ended the run with a kill, bringing the score 11-10 with Judson leading.
Thomas Dunkley recorded three service aces to regain a Pilot lead (14-12). The Pilots triumphed over the Eagles to win the third set 25-21.
In the fourth set, the two teams fought until Bethel gained a two-point lead (9-7) thanks to their blocking efforts. Santana Royal-Benson, Maik Herbst, and Thomas Dunkley were a force at the net. Dunkley recorded an ace to bring the score 14-11 as Judson called a timeout. Carson Moore had the first kill after the break.
The Pilots continued to increase the point deficit, winning the fourth set 25-18.
NEXT TIME OUT
The Pilots will continue the GameOne Pilot Invitational on Saturday, Feb 1, as they face Calumet College of St. Joseph (Ind.) at 10:00 a.m. and the Clarke Pride at 2 p.m.