Milwaukee, Wis. – The Dominican University Men's Volleyball team was on the road for a ranked matchup against #20 Milwaukee School of Engineering on Friday night.
 
 Results:
 #18 Dominican: 2
 #20 MSOE: 3

  How it Happened:
-The Stars got off to a strong start in the opening set, taking a 10-7 lead after a kill by Junior Ty Geschke.
-Dominican's lead jumped out to 18-12 after a Junior Thomas Hirsch recorded a kill through the back row.
-A block by Hirsch and Sophomore Landon Kassulke notched the first set for DU by a score of 25-21. Graduate Student Casey Goss posted 4 kills in the opening frame.
-After Dominican took an 8-6 lead in the second set, the Raiders bounced back and ultimately held a 13-10 advantage.
-Despite the Stars battling back, MSOE evened the match at one set all by taking the second by a score of 25-19. Sophomore Kendall Esparza posted 8 kills in Set 2.
-A close opening to the third set saw DU jump ahead 11-9, but the Raiders regained a 20-18 advantage after a 4-1 run.
-MSOE took Set 3 by a score of 27-25. Sophomore Landon Diaz posted a big solo block to push the third into a win by two situation.
-The Stars regained their composure quickly in the fourth, taking a commanding 6-1 lead early after a pair of kills by Geschke.
-The Raiders fought their way back into the set, but a 5-1 run by DU re-established a healthy lead at 17-11.
-Dominican held its nerve and pushed the match to a decisive fifth set by taking the fourth by a score of 25-22.
-Hirsch and Esparza came out firing in the fifth, helping the Stars take an early 5-2 lead in the shortened 5^th set.
-After DU held an 8-5 lead at the changeover, MSOE jumped in front 11-8.
-Despite battling back, Dominican dropped the fifth by a score of 17-15 and fell in the five-set thriller.

  Shining Stars:
-Sophomore Kendall Esparza led the attack for the Stars, amassing 18 kills on .400 hitting alongside 8 digs.
-Junior Ty Geschke notched 17 kills and 8 digs.
-Sophomore Landon Kassulke dished 48 assists and added 12 digs
-Junior Thomas Hirsch posted 8 kills and 4 blocks.
-Graduate Student Casey Goss collected 12 kills in the defeat.

  Leading the Way:
  Kills: Esparza (18)
  Aces: Hirsch (2)
  Blocks: Diaz and Hirsch (4)
  Assists: Kassulke (48)
  Digs: Kassulke and Henderson (12)

  What's Next:
Dominican University Men's Volleyball moves to 10-3 (2-1 NACC) on the 2026 season. The Stars will be back at home for Alumni Day Saturday, February 28^th, against Marian. The match against the Sabres is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m.

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