The Aurora University men's volleyball team returned to the court for game two of the California Lutheran Invite. The Spartans bounced back and defeated Rivier University in four sets with scores of 26-24, 25-15, 21-25, and 25-22.


MATCH SCORE: Aurora University 3, Rivier University 1 (26-24, 25-15, 21-25, 25-22)
LOCATION: Gilbert Arena - Thousand Oaks, California
RECORDS: Aurora University 7-8 overall


- The first set remained closely contested until AU pulled ahead to a 10-5 lead with a 3-2 run, which included two Raider service errors and a Josh McLellan kill.
- Despite five ties, the two sides continued to exchange points for the rest of the set, with no lead changes.
- AU ultimately secured set one with a score of 26-24, with key final kills delivered by Sebastian Ciszewski and Connor Carroll.
- The Spartans recorded 16 kills on 28 attacks, while the Raiders managed 14 kills on 32 attacks.
- Unlike the first set, Rivier took an early lead in set two. However, a pivotal kill from Josh McLellan tied the game at 7-7 and shifted the momentum.
- AU then dominated with a 13-3 run, establishing a commanding 19-10 lead.
- This momentum carried through, allowing the Spartans to clinch set two with a score of 25-15.
- Leading scorers for the set included Josh McLellan, Sebastian Ciszewski, and Connor Carroll.
- Set three witnessed the Raiders having an early 10-7 lead. Despite efforts from the Spartans, fueled by kills from Josh McLellan and Sebastian Ciszewski, they fell short, losing 25-21.
- The fourth set saw the Spartans battling point for point with the Raiders.
- Following a Raider service error that tied the game at 4-4, the Spartans surged ahead with a 9-5 run.
- Although the Raiders managed to equalize at 18-18 with an AU attack error, key kills from Josh McLellan (3) and Connor Carroll (2) secured victory for the Spartans.


Kills: Josh McLellan (22), Connor Carroll (10) and Sebastian Ciszewski (8)
Assists: Ryder Kelley (45) 
Blocks: John McCormack (4), Josh McLellan and Sebastian Ciszewski (3)
Digs: Alex Nonhof (12)
Aces: Ryder Kelley (2)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan men's volleyball team comes on Saturday, March 9 when they continue their road trip in California against Baldwin Wallace University  5:00 p.m. (CST) / 3:00 p.m. (PST) and St. John Fisher University 8:00 p.m.(CST) / 6:00 p.m. (PST).