Charlotte, N.C. – Playing for third place at the Independent Volleyball Association Tournament, Maryville men's volleyball battled No. 3 Limestone but dropped the contest 25-23, 24-26, 17-25, 16-25. Joe Nicometo led the Saints with 14 kills, while Jayden Rookhuyzen also reached double figures with 10 terminations. Josh Zhuchenko came up with 14 digs, while Jacob Fischer notched five blocks.
 
Limestone recap                         
Down 17-16 in the opening set, Maryville surged ahead with three straight kills. Cameron Chambers picked up consecutive kills and he teamed with Fischer for a block and a 19-17 lead. Limestone got to within 21-19 but Fischer and Rookhuyzen had a block, and Fischer came up with a solo rejection and 24-20 lead. Nicometo finished the set with a kill at 25-23.
 
Maryville was in front for most of set two until Limestone used tree straight points to take a 23-22 edge. Limestone committed an error to tie the set but edged in front 24-23. Nicometo saved one set points but Limestone tallied two straight kills to win it 26-24.
 
Maryville went ahead 3-2 early in set three but Limestone scored five straight to take the lead. Down by as many as seven, Maryville tallied three-in-a-row to pull to within 14-10 on a Limestone miscue. However, Limestone answered with a 5-0 run. Maryville closed to within 23-17 on a Chambers kill but Limestone took the lead 25-17.
 
Trailing 9-7 in the fourth, Nicometo had a kill, and Chambers served an ace to tie the score at 9-9. Limestone went back on top before a service error drew Maryville to 12-11. However, Limestone wet on a 5-1 run to pull away. Maryville got as close as 18-14 but Limestone re-established the lead by scoring five of the next six points and took third place in the tourney.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Joe Nicometo - 14
Hitting Percentage: Joe Nicometo - .189
Assists: Cameron Chambers - 31
Service Aces: Jacob Fischer - 2
Digs: Josh Zhuchenko - 14
Blocks: Jacob Fischer - 5
 
Records
Maryville: 11-18
Limestone: 16-12