The Aurora University men's volleyball team defeated Marian University in the first round of the 2024 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament on Tuesday night in Thornton Gymnasium. The Spartans won 3-0 and after a nail-biting opening set, dominated the third set for third win..


MATCH SCORE: Aurora University 3, Marian University 0 (31-29, 25-22, 25-11)
LOCATION: Thornton Gymnasium - Aurora, Illinois
RECORDS: Aurora University 17-9 overall and 11-1 NACC


- The first set had 17 tied scores and nine lead changes while going extra time.
- AU out-lasted the Sabres in the battle and won the opener 31-29.
- Spartan senior middle John McCormack was huge in the set, knocking down seven kills while hitting .700 and had four blocks.
- After grabbing an early lead, the Spartans had to come from behind late in the second set.
- Back to back kills from Connor Carroll and Josh McLellan gave AU the final lead of the set as they went on to win 25-22.
- The Spartans dominated the third and would be final set, never trailing on the way to a 25-11 win.
- Freshman Connor Carroll had six kills and three aces in the third set win.


Kills: Josh McLellan (12) and Connor Carroll (11) 
Assists: Luke Dwyer (31) 
Blocks: Martin McKee (7), John McCormack (6) and Connor Carroll (5)
Digs: Alex Nonhof (16) and Luke Dwyer (10) 
Aces: Connor Carroll (3)


Next scheduled action for the Spartan men's volleyball team comes on Thursday, April 11 when they host #3 Benedictine University / #6 Illinois Institute of Technology in the semi-final round of the 2024 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament. Opening serve is set for 7:00 p.m. on Lancaster Court in Thornton Gymnasium.