WASHINGTON – Spring came early to Gallaudet University's campus here on a frigid Wednesday night as the newest spring sport, men's volleyball, made its return to the Field House for the first time since 2013.
Gallaudet welcomed St. Norbert College from Wisconsin to the nation's capital for the first game of the 2025 season for the Bison.
The Green Knights won the match, 3-1, but the Bison fought hard and showed they belonged as GU played competitive sets and even took the second set, 27-25. In the end, the more seasoned St. Norbert team won 25-12, 25-27, 25-13, 25-16 before a solid crowd of 220.
First-year opposite
Zachary Bippus (Fishers, Ind.) led the Gallaudet offense with 13 kills to go with six digs and four blocks. First-year outside hitter
Ben Beyer (Janesville, Wis.) added six kills and two blocks (one solo). First-year middle hitter
Tyler Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.) led the team with five block assists. First-year outside hitter
Kodi Lee (Lehi, Utah) served up a match-high three aces.
First-year setter
Troy Holcomb (Fremont, Calif.) passed out a match-high 25 assists and added five digs and two blocks. First-year libero
Elian Zfati (Brooklyn, N.Y.) posted a team best six digs.
St. Norbert (1-2) played 18 players in the four-set match. The Kornaus brothers (Bennett and Kaden) led the Green Knights with seven kills each. Michael Whitney passed out 20 assists and made three aces and two blocks in the win.
BISON TRACKS
- The second set was tied five different times
- GU was 18 for 26 (69 percent) on sideouts in the second set, its best mark in the match
- Gallaudet posted a .321 hitting percentage in the second set
- This was Gallaudet's first home men's volleyball match since March 9, 2013, when the Bison entertained Siena Heights
- GU has lost its last 10 men's volleyball matches dating back to the end of the 2013 season
- Gallaudet last won a men's volleyball match on March 2, 2013, against Cazenovia, 3-1
UP NEXT
GU will hit the road and travel to Widener University next Thursday, Jan. 30, for a 7:30 p.m. non-conference game in Chester, Pa. This will be Gallaudet's first men's volleyball away game since April 7, 2013, when the Bison made the short trip to Takoma Park, Md., to face Washington Adventist University and conclude the 2013 campaign.