BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - At the Shirk Center, the Adrian men's volleyball team bounced back in a huge way to garner a split at the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational.
 
Game 1 | Adrian 0, Illinois Wesleyan 3 (20-25, 11-25, 16-25)

Against the homestanding Titans, the Bulldogs were held to a sub-zero hitting-percentage for the first time this season, clearing the way for the hosts to post a three-set sweep.

Adrian looked to be in control early in the first set, as a string of Titan attack errors pushed the locals' lead to 11-7. However, the home side regained its footing with a 6-0 run later on, eventually riding the momentum to a one-set lead.

Illinois Wesleyan did not let up in the match's middle set, turning in a 0.550 attack-percentage en route to a 25-11 second-set victory.

Despite a more contested third frame, the Bulldogs could not keep pace with the Titans down the stretch.

Andrew Gawrisch led Adrian with nine kills on a 0.333 attacking-mark, while Brandon Ravelo contributed with 13 assists and six digs.
 
Game 2 | Adrian 3, Concordia-Chicago 2 (29-31, 25-22, 23-25, 25-16, 15-11)

Less than 60 minutes after taking the floor against Illinois Wesleyan, the Bulldogs were right back it against the Cougars of Concordia-Chicago.

Despite the quick turnaround, the men fought through to the final point and came away with their first road victory of the season in dramatic fashion.

The first frame set the tone for the match, as the scoreline would go on to exceed the traditional 25-point limit.

Tied at 25-25, the two sides traded advantages until the Cougars found a breakthrough off of an Adrian attacking error.

In the subsequent set, with the score again knotted, at 22-22, a service miscue sparked a three-point rally by the black and gold, capitalized by a Gavin Yonker kill to draw the contest level at one set apiece.

After dropping the third set, the Bulldogs came roaring back in the fourth, utilizing a 12-6 stretch that included clutch kills from Gawrisch and Chase Heuer to force the season's second five-setter.

In the deciding frame, the black and gold opened up a two-point lead, but the Cougars always had an answer, eventually tying the set at 11-11. That's when the 'Dogs kicked it up a gear.

A kill from Tedrick Gula ignited a four-point run to the finish, with Gawrisch adding the cherry on top to clinch the match.

All told, Gawrisch closed the contest with 20 kills and a 0.326 attack-percentage.

Brandon Ravelo tallied 46 assists, and Tedrick Gula paced Adrian with 14 digs.

Next on the docket for the Bulldogs is a rematch with Aquinas College on Thursday, February 3. The Saints previously defeated Adrian 3-0 back on January 15 at the Michigan Men's Volleyball Invitational, hosted by Cornerstone University.