Philipi, W.Va. – The Mount Union men's volleyball team (1-0) took down the Battlers of Alderson Broaddus (0-1) in their 2021 season-opening match 25-23, 25-18, 25-10 Tuesday evening at the Rex Pyles Arena. 

Mount Union was led by senior Justin Sibbel who recorded 13 kills and one block and sophomore Cameron Ternent with seven kills and seven service aces. The Raiders outmatched the Battlers in kills 33-24 and service aces 10-1.

The Purple Raiders took the lead in the first set and never looked back. As the Battlers chipped away at the deficit to bring the score to 24-23, their efforts were not enough as Mark Bruns secured a kill to finish the first set 25-23. 

In a similar fashion, the Raiders took an early lead in the second set while the Battlers kept a tight score by never trailing by more the four points. The Raiders would then go onto a 5-0 run sparked by a kill from Sibbel to secure the second set 25-18. 

Mount Union jumped out early in the third set taking a 12-4 lead before the Battlers began chipping back to make the score 14-7. The Raiders then continued to freeze the Battler offense and secured the sweep with a third set score of 25-10 on a service ace by Ternent. 

The Raiders will be back in action for a home opener and Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League doubleheader against Mount St. Joseph on Sunday, January 31 at 1 and 3:30 p.m.