Crestview Hills, Ky. – The Maryville University men's volleyball team closed the 2024 season by falling in the third-place match of the IVA Tournament Saturday to Tusculum 25-19, 23-25, 22-25, 28-30. Luke Kraft led the way with 15 kills, while Makai Scott chipped in 12 kills. AJ Robateau hit .571 with 10 kills, while Cameron Chambers flirted with a triple-double and recorded 44 assists, 11 digs and seven kills. The Saints finished the season with 21 wins, the most in program history.
 
Tusculum recap
The Saints inched to a 16-13 lead in set one before taking control with four unanswered points, capped by a Scott kill. The Pioneers got as close as five points but the Saints never allowed back-to-back points. Joe Nicometo's kill gave the Saints the 25-19 win in the opening set.
 
Tusculum held a 5-4 margin before the Saints scored six of the next seven points for a 10-6 advantage. The Pioneers got to within 12-11 but Maryville answered and grew the cushion to 17-13. Robateau had a kill for a 20-18 edge. However, Tusculum scored four straight to jump ahead. The Saints tried to tie the score but the Pioneers traded points and won 25-23.
 
Set three saw Maryville turn an 8-7 deficit to a 12-9 lead. Kraft started the run with a kill. Later, he had a kill and a solo block before a Tusculum error put the Saints on top by three. Maryville was still leading 16-15 after a Robateau kill before the Pioneers went on a 4-1 run to take the lead. The Saints rally fell shot 25-22.
 
Maryville looked to force a fifth set by tallying four consecutive points for an 8-3 lead after a Kraft ace. Tusculum rallied and forged a tie at 9-9. The score was still deadlocked at 15-all until the Saints surged with a 5-1 run. Robateau's kill began the burst, and a Tusculum error made it 20-16. The Pioneers eventually tied the set at 22-22. Maryville had three set points but could not convert. Tusculum took the lead and had two set points of its own. However, tied at 28-28, the Pioneers scored on back-to-back points to end the match.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Luke Kraft - 15
Hitting Percentage: AJ Robateau - .571
Assists: Cameron Chambers - 44
Service Aces: Luke Kraft - 2
Digs: Cameron Chambers - 11
Blocks: Jacob Fischer - 6
 
Records
Maryville: 21-8
Tusculum: 8-23