River Forest, Ill. – Dominican University Men's Volleyball hosted Illinois Wesleyan in front of a packed house on Thursday night.
 
 Results:
  Dominican: 3
  Illinois Wesleyan: 2

  How it Happened:
-The Stars jumped out to a 9-6 lead in the opening set after a kill by Graduate Student Casey Goss.
-Illinois Wesleyan knotted up the first at 14-14, but Dominican would answer with a 6-2 run, which included an ace from Junior Ty Geschke.
-DU was able to close out the first set 25-21 through back-to-back kills by Junior Thomas Hirsch. Hirsch had 5 kills and a block in the opening frame.
-The second set started even, with both squads tied at 7-7 after a solo block by Hirsch.
-DU jumped out to a 16-13 lead after a 3-0 run by Senior Michael Greco.
-Through strong blocking and attacking, the Stars took a 2-0 lead in the match after winning the second 25-21. Geschke totaled 3 kills in Set 2.
-After the Stars took a 9-7 lead to open the third, the Titans answered back and eventually settled with a 15-12 advantage.
-Despite a 3-0 run from Hirsch and a 4-0 run by Sophomore Landon Kassulke, Illinois Wesleyan took the third set by a score of 25-23. Greco and Hirsch combined for 7 kills and 2 blocks through the middle for DU in Set 3.
-Set 4 began with DU and IWU trading runs, with the Titans taking a 15-11 lead.
-The Stars tried to close the deficit, but Illinois Wesleyan pushed the match to a deciding fifth set after taking the fourth by a score of 25-22. Kassulke recorded 9 assists in the fourth set.
-Dominican responded well in the fifth set, taking a 6-2 lead after tough serving by Kassulke.
-Kills for Hirsch and Esparza extended the DU lead to 10-4.
-The Titans gained some momentum, but the Stars were able to close out the match in the fifth by a score of 15-12.

  Shining Stars:
-Junior Thomas Hirsch led the Stars in attacking with 12 kills on .529 hitting, alongside 2 aces and 6 blocks.
-Junior Ty Geschke notched 11 kills on .304 hitting and added 4 aces and 8 digs.
-Graduate Student Casey Goss totaled 10 kills and 2 blocks.
-Sophomore Landon Kassulke dished 42 assists in the victory.
- Junior Grant Henderson amassed 12 digs.
 
  Leading the Way:
  Kills: Hirsch (12)
  Aces: Geschke (4)
  Blocks: Hirsch (6)
  Assists: Kassulke (42)
  Digs: Henderson (12)

  What's Next:
Dominican University Men's Volleyball moves to 5-1 (1-0 NACC) on the 2026 season. The Stars will prepare for a double-header inside the Igini Sports Forum on Saturday, February 7^th, first against Wabash at 12:00 p.m., then DU will take on Mount Union at 4:00 p.m.

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