The Aurora University men's volleyball team opened the 2021 season on Wednesday night against North Central College in Thornton Gymnasium, falling to the visitors 3-0.

THE BASICS
MATCH SCORE: North Central College 3, Aurora University 0 (22-25, 19-25, 13-25)
LOCATION: Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1; North Central College 1-0

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans dropped the first set to the Cardinals 25-22.
- AU never trailed by more than three in the well played opening set.
- After trailing by as many as seven early in the second set, the Spartans fought back to cut the deficit to two at 18-20.
- The Spartans comeback came up short though as they fell 25-19.
- Emmanuel Chaidez led the way in the set with four kills.
- In the third set, after a Justin Elliott kill had AU down one at 9-8, the Spartans saw themselves get out scored 16-5 and fell 25-13.

SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Kills: Emmanuel Chaidez (9)
Assists: James Karwin (21)
Blocks: Thomas Kovanic (3)
Digs: Brandon Langys (5)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's volleyball team comes on Friday, February 5 when they travel to Carthage College. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Kenosha, Wisconsin.