The Aurora University men's volleyball team rolled in the opening set and then had a battle with the Illinois Wesleyan Titans on their way to a 3-0 (25-17, 25-23, 26-24) victory over the visiting Titans on Thursday night.


MATCH SCORE: Aurora University 3, Illinois Wesleyan University 0 (25-17, 25-23, 26-24)
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 3-2 overall ; Illinois Wesleyan University 4-4 overall


- The Spartans trailed 2-0 in the opening set and then opened up a comfortable lead with Illinois Wesleyan calling time at 11-5 AU.
- AU won the first set 25-17 behind four kills from Matthew Nelson who hit .800 in the frame.
- The second set was all Titans early as AU called time trailing 6-1.
- The Spartans calmly chipped away at the deficit and tied the set 19-19.
- AU took advantage of IWU errors late in the set and would win 25-23. 
- Thomas Kovanic had the set sealing kill with a monster attack for the set winner.
- The third set saw each team lead by three points each on one occasion (AU 3-0 and IWO 16-13) but other than those leads, it was a closely played set.
- With the score tied 21-21, IWU got back to back aces to put the AU clean sweep in jeopardy.
- Coming out of an AU timeout call, a service error by the Titans was followed up by kills from Soloman Dial and James Karwin, giving AU a 24-23 lead.
- With the score knotted 24-24, a IWU service ace was followed up by an ace from Solomon Dial..
- The ace gave AU the 26-24 set win and the 3-0 match victory. 


Kills: Matthew Nelson and Thomas Kovanic (7) \
Assists: James Karwin (22)
Blocks: Soloman Dial, James Karwin and John McCormack (3)
Digs: Alex Nonhoff (9)


Next action for the Spartan men's volleyball team comes on Friday, February 11 when they host Mount Union University. Match time is set for 8:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.