SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - At the Don Ridler Field House, the Adrian men's volleyball team made a run at the homestanding Blue Devils, but ultimately fell short, 3-1.
The result, while in favor of the home side, was an improvement for the black and gold from the last time the two programs met back in January, in which Lawrence Tech prevailed in straight-sets.
Nevertheless, the 'Dogs could not keep up with the 'Devils' offensive attack, outhitting their opposition only in the matches' third set, 0.227 to 0.192.
In that penultimate frame, the visitors were forced to battle back from a series of multi-point deficits after the Blue Devils had posted an early 4-0 run to go ahead 5-2. Then, trailing 16-14, a kill by
Tedrick Gula, followed by back-to-back service aces by the senior sent the Bulldogs back into the lead, but only by a thread.
Lawrence Tech stuck around to knot the set at 23-23 later on, but a subsequent service error restored Adrian's advantage, that
Andrew Gawrisch would ice with a set-sealing attack.
Despite another back-and-forth fight in the fourth set, a 6-0 stretch by the 'Devils proved to be just enough to clinch the match.
Gawrisch paced the Bulldogs with 14 kills and two block assists, while
Chase Heuer added 11 successful attacks.
Brandon Ravelo turned in a game-high 32 assists, and Samuel Williams led Adrian with 10 digs.
The men continue their latest road trip on Saturday at Mount Union in conference-action. Opening serve is set for 7 p.m.
