MIAMI SHORES, FL – Lincoln Memorial University men's volleyball captured its eighth consecutive IVA Championship on Saturday afternoon, defeating Catawba 3-1 at Barry University's Health & Sports Center by set scores of 25-21, 20-25, 25-22 and 25-20. The win moves the Railsplitters to 17-6 on the season.
LMU put together another strong championship performance, finishing with 53 kills, a .324 hitting percentage, 49 assists and 11.5 total blocks. The Railsplitters also held Catawba to a .168 hitting percentage in the match.
Lincoln Memorial took control early in the opening set and used a balanced attack to claim a 25-21 win. Relja Milosavljevic helped lead the push with a service ace and several key points at the net, while the Railsplitters closed the frame on another kill from the junior middle blocker.
Catawba answered in the second set, using a late run to even the match with a 25-20 victory. The Indians got strong serving in the frame, but LMU regrouped quickly heading into the third.
The Railsplitters responded by taking the third set 25-22 behind timely offense and steady defense. LMU then finished the match in the fourth, overcoming another tight battle before closing out the championship with a 25-20 win. Milosavljevic sealed the title with a service ace on match point.
Axel van Baars led Lincoln Memorial with 17 kills, while Johan Negron added 13 and Milosavljevic turned in one of the best all-around performances of the afternoon with 11 kills on .611 hitting, two service aces and eight total blocks. George Stevens also had a strong championship match with nine kills and four block assists, while Inbar Shachar directed the offense with 45 assists and added 12 digs.
At the net, LMU's front row made a major difference throughout the match. Milosavljevic totaled three solo blocks and five block assists, while Stevens, Walsh and Negron all contributed to a defensive effort that helped contain Catawba's attack and secure another conference crown.
With the victory, Lincoln Memorial continues its run atop the IVA and adds yet another championship trophy to the program's streak of league titles.
