SOUTHFIELD-- Sophomore
Akram Askoul posted a match-high eight total blocks, including several key defensive plays in the decisive fifth set, and redshirt junior
Brendon Down led the Lawrence Tech offense with 14 kills (.258) to propel the Blue Devils to a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory Friday over 14th-ranked Lourdes at the Don Rider Field House. Set scores of the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference were 20-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-15, 15-11.
With its first win in program history over a nationally-ranked team after losing the first two sets, LTU improves to 5-1 overall and 1-1 in the WHAC. The Gray Wolves fall to 1-7 on the season and 1-1 in the conference.
Eduardo Ayala led the Gray Wolves with 18 kills to lead all attackers and he had seven digs. Tomas Olek had 12 terminations while Reshawn Allen added 10. Joey Bianco directed the offense with 47 assists.
Lawrence Tech graduate student
Gustavo Heidrich produced a match-high 12 digs, while freshman setter
Nathaniel Brownlee dished 31 assists.
The LTU defense came alive as the match progressed especially in the fifth set, which saw the Blue Devils break an 8-8 tie with one of freshman
Mario Cid's 10 kills, three consecutive blocks and a Lourdes attack error to go up 13-8. The match ended on a service error by the Gray Wolves.
The Lourdes offense was in high gear for the first two sets when it opened with a .345 attack percentage and then .429 to lead 2-0. The Blue Devils were just a step behind with .231 and .250 to start.
But the Blue Devils began to find its offensive rhythm in the third set to get back into match, outhitting the Gray Wolves .296 to .200. Lawrence Tech evened the match two sets apiece by winning the fourth by holding Lourdes to a .000 attack percentage.
In the fifth, LTU continued to ramp up the defensive heat limiting Lourdes to a minus-.250 attack clip. For the contest, LTU had 17 team blocks to 11 for the Gray Wolves, who also trailed in digs, 41-32.
Lawrence Tech will turn to its attention to another nationally-ranked WHAC opponent on Saturday (3 p.m.) when No. 11 Indiana Tech comes to The Don.
