Posted: Jan 24, 2025
Statesmen Come Up Short in Five-Set Thriller to Open 2025 Season
William Penn (IA)
(0-1)
2
Governors State
(1-1)
3
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
William Penn (IA) (0-1) | 26 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 13 | 2 |
|
Governors State (1-1) | 28 | 21 | 16 | 31 | 15 | 3 |
Davenport--The William Penn men's volleyball team opened its 2025 campaign with a nail-biting five-set loss, falling 3-2 to Governors State Friday.
The #5-ranked Statesmen (0-1) battled through an intense back-and-forth contest, but were edged by set scores of 26-28, 25-21, 25-16, 29-31, and 13-15. Despite the loss, William Penn outhit Governors State (1-1) .205 to .174.
While the result wasn't ideal, the team looks to build on last year's strong season, which included a national semifinal appearance. For Governors State, the win marks a milestone in its first season of program history.
The Statesmen stumbled out of the gate, hitting just .147 in the opening set. After scoring the first point, William Penn fell behind 10-6, but clawed its way back to tie the game at 19-19. The teams traded points in a thrilling conclusion, with the Jaguars ultimately taking the set 28-26.
William Penn regrouped in the second set, grabbing an early 6-3 lead, punctuated by a service ace from Chase Alguire (Fr., Calgary, Alberta, Business Management). Governors State tied the set at 12-12, but another Alguire ace sparked a 5-0 run that propelled the Statesmen to a 25-21 victory.
The momentum carried into the third set as WPU built an early 10-3 advantage. While GSU responded with four unanswered points, the Statesmen powered through behind a balanced offensive effort. A decisive kill by Ben Cemeno-Castillo (Jr., Joliet, Ill., Business Management) sealed the set at 25-16.
The fourth set was a marathon, featuring 15 ties and multiple lead changes. William Penn opened with a 6-3 lead, but Governors State managed to stay close and eventually edged out the set 31-29, forcing a decisive fifth frame.
The Statesmen led early in the shortened final set, but were overtaken at 6-5. GSU maintained control down the stretch, clinching the match in a 15-13 finish.
The Statesmen recorded 60 kills, led by Cemeno-Castillo with 16 (.325 attack) and Sam Spaude (Sr., Cedarburg, Wis., Sports Management) with 14. Britten Beallis (Jr., Naperville, Ill., Sports Management) contributed 12 kills with a .435 attack percentage, while Alguire added 11 kills.
The #5-ranked Statesmen (0-1) battled through an intense back-and-forth contest, but were edged by set scores of 26-28, 25-21, 25-16, 29-31, and 13-15. Despite the loss, William Penn outhit Governors State (1-1) .205 to .174.
While the result wasn't ideal, the team looks to build on last year's strong season, which included a national semifinal appearance. For Governors State, the win marks a milestone in its first season of program history.
The Statesmen stumbled out of the gate, hitting just .147 in the opening set. After scoring the first point, William Penn fell behind 10-6, but clawed its way back to tie the game at 19-19. The teams traded points in a thrilling conclusion, with the Jaguars ultimately taking the set 28-26.
William Penn regrouped in the second set, grabbing an early 6-3 lead, punctuated by a service ace from Chase Alguire (Fr., Calgary, Alberta, Business Management). Governors State tied the set at 12-12, but another Alguire ace sparked a 5-0 run that propelled the Statesmen to a 25-21 victory.
The momentum carried into the third set as WPU built an early 10-3 advantage. While GSU responded with four unanswered points, the Statesmen powered through behind a balanced offensive effort. A decisive kill by Ben Cemeno-Castillo (Jr., Joliet, Ill., Business Management) sealed the set at 25-16.
The fourth set was a marathon, featuring 15 ties and multiple lead changes. William Penn opened with a 6-3 lead, but Governors State managed to stay close and eventually edged out the set 31-29, forcing a decisive fifth frame.
The Statesmen led early in the shortened final set, but were overtaken at 6-5. GSU maintained control down the stretch, clinching the match in a 15-13 finish.
The Statesmen recorded 60 kills, led by Cemeno-Castillo with 16 (.325 attack) and Sam Spaude (Sr., Cedarburg, Wis., Sports Management) with 14. Britten Beallis (Jr., Naperville, Ill., Sports Management) contributed 12 kills with a .435 attack percentage, while Alguire added 11 kills.
Cezar Pedroso (Jr., Curitiba, Brazil, Computer Science) facilitated the offense with 45 assists, and the team tallied six service aces, including two each from Alguire and Spaude.
Defensively, Joao Gabriel Filippelli (So., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Business Management) led the team with 17 digs. Beallis was a force at the net with nine blocks (two solo, seven assists).
"Tough match to open up, but plenty of the year left to go," Head Coach Luke Bentley said. "We'll regroup and get back on the court tomorrow."
Next Up: The Statesmen return to action Saturday at the St. Ambrose Tournament, facing Oakland City in Davenport, Iowa, at 11:00 a.m.
Defensively, Joao Gabriel Filippelli (So., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Business Management) led the team with 17 digs. Beallis was a force at the net with nine blocks (two solo, seven assists).
"Tough match to open up, but plenty of the year left to go," Head Coach Luke Bentley said. "We'll regroup and get back on the court tomorrow."
Next Up: The Statesmen return to action Saturday at the St. Ambrose Tournament, facing Oakland City in Davenport, Iowa, at 11:00 a.m.
