Box Score River Forest, Ill. – The Dominican University Men's Volleyball team was back in action Thursday evening, looking to head into spring break on a high note against Division Street rival.
 
 Results:
 RV Dominican: 3
 Concordia Chicago: 1

  How it Happened:
-The first set was back-and-forth until CUC grew a 21-16 lead in the latter portion of the first set.
-The Stars were unable to get anything going after down 5 as they lost the first set 25-19.
-DU bounce backed quickly with a 5-0 run to start the second set.
-Dominican kept a 5-point lead until the Cougars brought the set to 17-16 in favor of the Stars.
-DU was able to regain control by taking advantaged of CUC errors, and Graduate Student Casey Goss earned an ace to bring all momentum on the Stars sideline.
-Junior's Thomas Hirsch and Ty Geschke each collected a kill at the end of the set.
-Sophomore Kendall Esparza made sure DU started off on the right foot in the crucial third set by earning two kills in the first five points of the set.
-Dominican gained a 9-5 lead when Goss sent home a kill, but Concordia Chicago responded immediately by taking a 11-10 lead.
-The Stars and the Cougars went point for point in the middle portion of the set, that continued to a 25-25 set three.
-Esparza knocked home a kill, with Goss earning an ace to win set three 28-26 and take a 2-1 set lead at rival CUC.
-The fourth set started just as competitive as the rest of the sets with both schools battling point for point.
-As the fourth set went on Dominican was up 18-17, before rattling off three straight points and four of five points to take a 23-18 lead. During this stretch Esparza earned two kills.
-The Cougars did find an answer bringing the score back to 23-22 in favor of DU.
-Esparza shut the door with the final two points of the match and earning his 18^th kill of the match.

  Shining Stars:
-Sophomore Kendall Esparza earned Star of the Match with 18 kills; while hitting .409%, the Sophomore also collected 2 service aces and 8 digs.
-Junior Thomas Hirsch continued being a force for DU earning 9 kills and 3 blocks.
-Junior Ty Geschke was all over the floor this evening with 8 kills, 11 digs, and 3 blocks.
-Graduate Student Casey Goss has continued being a leader on this DUMVB squad earning 8 kills, 2 service aces, and 2 blocks.
-Sophomore Landon Kassulke dished out 43 assists with a service ace and 2 kills.
-Junior Grant Henderson led the team with 16 digs.

  Leading the Way:
  Kills: Esparza (18)
  Aces: Esparza and Goss (2)
  Blocks: Hirsch and Geschke (3)
  Assists: Kassulke (43)
  Digs: Henderson (16)

  What's Next:
Dominican University Men's Volleyball improved to 12-3 (4-1 NACC) on the 2026 season. The Stars will enjoy a week off from game play before hosting Illinois Tech on March 12^th, inside the Igini Sports Forum. The Stars and Scarlet Hawks will begin at 7:00 p.m.

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