SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - No. 6 Lawrence Tech Men's Volleyball opened strong but No. 11 Lourdes University answered with three straight sets to claim a 3-1 victory at Don Ridler Field House on Friday night, 23-25, 25-15, 25-23, 25-20.

The Blue Devils rode an efficient attack and timely blocking to edge Lourdes in a tight first set. Trailing late, Lourdes' Jack McMurray briefly pulled the visitors level at 23-23 with a kill, but Lawrence Tech responded immediately. Akram Askoul put down a key kill to regain the lead, and a Lourdes attack error on the next rally closed out the set 25-23 in favor of the hosts.

Lourdes settled in during the second set and swung the momentum sharply. The visitors' serve began to pressure the Blue Devils' reception, and the Gray Wolves used a late run to pull away. Felipe Tramontin delivered a service ace in the closing stretch as Lourdes stretched the margin and evened the match with a 25-15 decision.

The pivotal third set turned into the kind of back-and-forth frame expected in a matchup of ranked programs. Lawrence Tech's attack, paced by Askoul and outside hitter Gustavo Machado, kept the Blue Devils within striking distance as they looked to reclaim control. However, Lourdes' depth at the net and from the service line made the difference down the stretch. With the set on the line, Lourdes' Brayden Moyars came up with a clutch service ace in the final sequence to break a narrow margin and secure a 25-23 win, putting the visitors in front 2-1.

Lawrence Tech continued to battle in the fourth, trading points with Lourdes and generating key swings from the pins to stay close. Machado and the Blue Devils' block helped keep the set within reach, but Lourdes' offense maintained steady pressure and capitalized on late opportunities. After a Tramontin kill pushed Lourdes in front in the closing rallies, the match ended on a Lawrence Tech attack error, sealing a 25-20 result in the fourth and the 3-1 final.

Offensively, Lourdes finished with 54 kills to Lawrence Tech's 44 and hit .333 as a team, while the Blue Devils hit a solid .241. Lawrence Tech matched Lourdes at the net with 6.0 total blocks and stayed aggressive from the service line, collecting four aces, but the visitors' eight aces and consistent side-out play proved decisive.

Individually, Askoul led the Blue Devils with 13.5 points, posting 10 kills on a .333 attack percentage, adding two aces, three digs and one solo block. Machado added another strong offensive option on the outside with 9 kills and 11.0 points while contributing four digs. Setter Pedro Aguiar directed the Lawrence Tech attack with 39 assists, one kill and a team-high eight digs as he kept the offense balanced throughout the night.

For Lourdes, Jaber Badarne powered the attack with a match-high 21.0 points, including 19 kills, while McMurray chipped in 10.5 points with eight kills and two aces. The result sends Lawrence Tech forward from a nationally ranked showdown with clear positives on both sides of the ball as the Blue Devils turn their attention to the upcoming WHAC slate and the remainder of the home stand at Don Ridler Field House.