Box Score ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Roberts Wesleyan University men's volleyball coach Mike Dedee delivered a direct message to his team after it dropped the first set of Saturday's match against American International College.
"Stop trying to overdo things and just play your game. Go out there and take charge," Dedee implored.
The Redhawks responded well, winning the next three sets to earn a 23-25, 25-18, 25-12, 25-16 victory in the East Coast Conference match played at the Voller Athletic Center.
"I would like to think that some of what I said sunk in," said Dedee, whose team was swept at AIC just two weeks ago. "Once we got some confidence in the second set, we just took it from there."
Roberts (7-13, 2-3 ECC) dialed in on its serves, registering 14 aces in the match, and took control of the play at the net.
"The guys blocked like maniacs," Dedee said. "Their blocking was outstanding and the defense was superb. I've got to give a shoutout to Moises Jimenez because he was digging everything."
Nick Liousfi led the block party with six, while Paul Fillion and Jonah Grbic each contributed four. Fillion added 13 kills and seven digs, Grbic contributed nine kills, Liousfi had seven and Griffin Monrad came through with six blocks and six aces.
Jimenez led the way with 14 digs and Riley Green finished with 35 assists, 4 digs and 3 blocks.
After registering a hitting percentage of .094 in the first set, Roberts continued to improve by going .278, .375, .450 to finish at .277 for the day.
Josh Anderson, the Redhawks' lone senior, was recognized prior to the match. Anderson played in three sets and made two kills.
Roberts has three matches remaining in the season before the ECC Championship Tournament on April 19-20.
"It was a good win today and I think that we did some things on offense today that will give us confidence," Dedee said. "We want to maintain the positive momentum that we generated today and carry that forwards as we head toward the playoffs."
The Redhawks return to action at 6 p.m. on Thursday against Daemen in the Voller Athletic Center.