HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker men's volleyball team won 1-of-2 games during their tri-match on Friday (Feb. 22).  The Cobras fell to Eastern Mennonite 3-2, then defeated Rust College 3-0.

The first game featured a battle between the Cobras and the Royals of Eastern Mennonite.  In the early minutes of the first set, the Royals had the slight 12-11 lead over the Cobras.  Eastern Mennonite would then capture seven of the next eight points to take a 19-12 lead.  Coker fought back to within four points but could not recapture the lead. The Royals took the first set 25-21.

Coker responded by taking command of the second set with a 27-25 win, but then fell again to the Royals in the third set 26-24.  

With the advantage in favor of Eastern Mennonite, the Cobras went into the fourth set down 2-1.  Neither team would give as they battled to a 25-25 score.  After giving up the first point, the Cobras would take three straight points and force a fifth set with a narrow 27-25 win.

As the fifth set started, the Cobras quickly found themselves down 8-5.  Coker battled back to an 8-8 tie, but could not take the lead as the Royals took the fifth and final set with a score of 15-12. 

Jared Geizer had the team high 18-kills for the Cobras, along with the ten digs.  Luke Hansen was right behind with 16-kills, while Ricardo Ferrer and James Joseph had seven each.  Devion Whetstone had the game high four blocks, along with six kills. 

In game two of the tri-match Coker defeated Rust College 3-0.  Coker took the first set with a 25-21 score, followed by sets two and three with identical scores of 25-16. 

Geizer again had the match high 12-kills against Rust, along with four digs.  Hansen was next on the score sheet with eight kills, followed by Whetstone and Ferrer with four each. Cooper Lyon had the match high 14-digs.  

As a team Coker had 34-kills in comparison to Rusts' 26.  The team also had 23-digs, and four assists. 

Coker's next competition will be at home against Belmont Abbey on Wednesday (Feb. 27).  The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time.  

Game One McDonalds Player of the Game: Jared Geizer.

Game Two McDonalds Player of the Game: Cooper Lyon.