The Aurora University men's volleyball team opened the 2023 season on Saturday night, taking on No. 15 New York University. The Spartans fell in an exciting five set match 3-2.


MATCH ONE: New York University 3, Aurora University 2 (21-25, 25-20, 15-25, 25-17, 6-15)
LOCATION: Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium
RECORDS: Aurora University 0-1


- The Spartans got a kill from John McCormack to start the 2023 season but then fell behind to the visiting Violets and fell in the first set 25-21.
- AU came out strong to start the second getting a pair of aces from James Karwin around a NYU timeout.
- A monster kill from Solomon Dail put the Spartans up 13-6.
- After an injury delay, the Spartans gathered their emotions and opened up a 20-9 lead before winning 25-20.
- In what would become a back and forth match, NYU controlled the third set and won 25-15.
- A .320 team hitting percentage welcomed the Spartans in the fourth set with three kills each from Austin Bayner, McCormack and Karwin.
- AU won the fourth 25-17 and forced a winner take all fifth set.
- NYU would win all the odd sets by winning the fifth, 15-6.
- AU battled the ranked Violets but fell 3-2.


Kills: John McCormack (14)
Assists: James Karwin (32)
Blocks: John McCormack (7)
Digs: Alex Nonhoff (14) and James Karwin (10)


Next action for the Spartan men's volleyball team comes on Tuesday, January 24 when they host North Central College. Opening serve is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Thornton Gymnasium.