The Aurora University men's volleyball team played a strong all around match against the visiting Banana Slugs of University of California Santa Cruz, winning 3-1

THE BASICS
MATCH SCORE: Aurora University 3, University of California Santa Cruz 1 (25-11, 18-25, 25-21, 25-21)
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 10-6 overall and 8-3 in the NACC

HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans took a 2-1 lead in the opening set on a thunderous Thomas Kovanic kill and never looked back.
- AU played with energy and pace, forcing Santa Cruz errors and taking advantage of others to win set one 25-11.
- The Banana Slugs led throughout the second set and won 25-18.
- In the third set, AU trailed early but rallied midway through the set behind multiple kills from Justin Elliott and Austin Bayner.
- A service ace from James Karwin sealed the third set, 25-21.
- AU led for all of the fourth set but the Banana Slugs hung around until the end.
- Emmanuel Chaidez had five big kills in the fourth set winner with Timothy Breiter's fourth kill sealing the win 25-21.
- AU was victorious 3-1.

SPARTAN TEAM LEADERS
Kills: Timothy Breiter (12) and Emmanuel Chaidez (10)
Aces: Timothy Breiter (3)
Assists: James Karwin (38)
Blocks: Austin Bayner (6)
Digs: Justin Elliott and Brandon Langys (8)

UP NEXT
Next action for the Spartan men's volleyball team comes on Tuesday, April 6 when they Marian University in the first round of the NACC Tournament. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.