QUINCY, Ill. – The University of Jamestown men's volleyball team continued conference play on the road Friday night, battling Quincy in a competitive three-set match before falling 3-0 at Pepsi Arena. The Hawks took the win by scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-23.
Despite the final result, the Jimmies showed resilience throughout the night and remained within striking distance for much of the match. Jamestown was especially strong in the later two sets, pushing Quincy deep into both sets and forcing the home side to earn every point down the stretch.
Jamestown opened the match with early energy, picking up points from Chase Hawkinson, Ladarius Williams, and Brady Leppien-Christensen as the two teams traded momentum in the opening set. After the score was tied at 6-6, Quincy used a strong serving stretch to create separation and built an 11-6 lead. The Jimmies responded with key points from Williams, Lucas Soeldner, and Ethan Carroll to stay in the fight, while a block from Hawkinson and Carroll helped trim the deficit later in the set. Jamestown was able to come back within four on multiple occasions, but Quincy held on to take the opener 25-20.
The second set was one of Jamestown's strongest stretches of the evening. The Jimmies came out aggressively and used a balanced attack to build an 8-3 advantage. Kills from Hawkinson and Carroll, along with strong play at the net, helped Jamestown gain early control. Quincy answered midway through the set, eventually drawing even at 13-13, but the Jimmies refused to let the momentum fully swing. Jamestown regained the lead at 19-17 and later got within one point of extending the set even further. Hawkinson continued to lead the offense late, and Cohen Johnson provided an important kill off the bench, but Quincy closed the set with a late push to secure the 25-22 win.
In the third, Quincy jumped out to another early lead, going in front 6-1, but Jamestown once again responded. The Jimmies settled into the set with kills from Soeldner, Williams, and Hawkinson, while also benefitting from strong work at the net and a pair of service aces from Williams. Jamestown continued chipping away and eventually pulled even at 17-17, setting up another tight finish. Quincy moved ahead late, but the Jimmies did not back down, narrowing the score to 24-23 after another kill from Hawkinson. Quincy was able to record the final point moments later, closing out the match with a 25-23 third-set victory.
Hawkinson led the Jamestown offense with 14 kills while adding eight digs and two block assists. Soeldner added six kills and a team-high 10 digs, while Williams also finished with six kills, two service aces, and six digs. Carroll was efficient offensively, totaling three kills on six attempts for a .500 hitting percentage, and contributed four total blocks. Shaughnessy guided the Jimmie attack with 27 assists, seven digs, and two solo blocks.
Jamestown returns to the court Saturday, March 14, for another match up with Quincy University at 2 PM.
