SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Lawrence Tech University opened the night with control and finished it with poise, defeating Goshen College 3-0 on Friday at Don Ridler Fieldhouse in Southfield. The Blue Devils won by set scores of 25-16, 25-16, 26-24, improving on the strength of a balanced attack and a strong presence at the net.

Lawrence Tech finished with 38 kills, four service aces and 12 blocks, while holding Goshen to 26 kills and a .038 hitting percentage. The Blue Devils hit .256 as a team and set the tone early, building separation in the opening set behind a run that featured multiple kills from Yegor Volkov. Gustavo Machado added a kill during an 11-3 surge that helped Lawrence Tech take command, and the Blue Devils closed the first set with consecutive points for the 25-16 decision.

The second set followed a similar pattern. Mario Cid helped Lawrence Tech establish control with steady play and timely kills, and Volkov added a service ace along with several more finishes as the lead grew late. Goshen stayed within reach for stretches, but late attack errors helped Lawrence Tech close out another 25-16 set and move within one set of the sweep.

The tightest stretch of the match came in the third. Goshen pushed the Blue Devils to deuce at 24-24 as Bruno Barac fueled the comeback with multiple kills in a back-and-forth set. Lawrence Tech answered at the right moment. Cid delivered a late kill to restore the advantage, and a Goshen attack error on the final rally ended the set at 26-24 and sealed the match.

Volkov led all players with 18 points and turned in one of the match's most complete performances, finishing with 13 kills, six block assists and two service aces while hitting .346. Cid added nine points on six kills, one ace and one solo block, and Akram Askoul also scored nine points with seven kills. On the other side, Barac posted seven kills on a .462 hitting percentage, while Ben Koop finished with six kills, one ace and three block assists.

For much of the night, the difference was Lawrence Tech's efficiency and net defense. The Blue Devils committed 16 attack errors compared with Goshen's 23, matched the Maple Leafs in digs at 26-25, and consistently turned rallies with blocks or clean finishes. That edge showed again in the final moments, when Lawrence Tech steadied itself after Goshen drew even and closed the night on Cid's kill and the match-ending error.The Blue Devils are back in action tomorrow afternoon as they host WHAC opponent #13 Bethel University for a 2pm showdown.