Tigers pull off comeback 5-set win

Georgetown traveled north on Tuesday night to take on an old MSC foe. The Tigers needed the distance against Thomas More but were able to rally from a 2-1 deficit to knock off the Saints in 5.

The night got off to a rough start for Georgetown as Thomas More opened the first set by scoring 9 of the first 11 points. It put Georgetown in a hole it was never able to recover from. Only twice in the set were the Tigers able to score back-to-back points as the Saints rolled to a 25-13 win.

The Tigers were able to stabilize in the 2nd set. Adam Szewinski and Kristjan Unt got the team out to an early 2-0 lead. The edge grew to 6-3 before Thomas More got two back to put pressure back on the Tigers. Georgetown countered with 2 right back and would gradually build to a 14-10 lead. While the Tigers played from ahead throughout the set, Thomas More kept pace and was able to cut Georgetown's lead to 1 at 18-17. It was here that the Tigers responded and separated. Adam Szewinski put a ball away and ignited a run of 5 straight, the last 4 with Unt on serve. Moments later, Robin Puss delivered the knockout as Georgetown took the second, 25-19, to even the match.

Set 3 was tight most of the way. The teams traded mini-runs early and split the first 22 points. Thomas More went on a 3-0 run to end the split and take a 13-11 lead. Georgetown fought back to tie the set again at 15 after a Miguel Ariza Vega kill. Thomas More countered with a run of its own for a 21-17 lead. Georgetown scored the next 3 to get within 1. From there, the Tigers got within 1 two more times but could not draw level. Thomas More ultimately took the set, 25-22, to put Georgetown on the brink.

Set 4 set up early like the 3rd. Georgetown and Thomas More split the first 16 points. A Kristjan Unt kill tied the set at 8. Adam Szewinski followed with an ace as Georgetown set off on a 6-1 run to grab a 14-9 lead. Thomas More came right back with the next 3 to stay close. The Saints rode the momentum to come all the way back and take a 20-19 lead on Georgetown. The Tigers turned to Unt again, who delivered from the outside for the tie. Finn Heinemann then delivered an ace and assist back to Unt to push the Tigers ahead, 22-20. Thomas More came back to tie the set at 23. Georgetown had a set point chance after a Miguel Ariza Vega kill at 24-23, but the Saints denied the chance. The Tigers stayed the course, ultimately getting a kill from Robin Puss and a solo block from Adam Szewinski to close out the 4th, 26-24.

To no one's surprise, the 5th set was tight early again. Georgetown and Thomas More evenly exchanged the first 18 points of the set. With the 5th tied at 9 in the race to 15, Robin Puss put Georgetown ahead. A Saints error then gave Georgetown a 2-point lead. Thomas More got 1 back to get within 1 at 11-10. Robin Puss then stepped up again with another kill for a 12-10 edge. Jose Acuna Yepes then turned up the defense with a huge block for a 3-point lead. Adam Szewinski followed with a kill to give Georgetown 4 match points. The Tigers needed just one as Thomas More put the next ball into the net to seal the Georgetown comeback win.

Finn Heinemann led Georgetown with 46 assists and 14 digs from his setter spot. Robin Puss tallied 16 kills and 7 digs. Kristjan Unt put up another big night with 15 kills and 7 digs. Miguel Ariza Vega and Adam Szewinski dominated the middle as the pair combined for 16 kills and 7 solo blocks. Brandon Gitschier tallied 11 digs from his libero position.

The Tigers now get set for River States Conference action on Friday, February 21st. Georgetown takes on Rio Grande at 7:00pm at Davis-Reid Alumni Gym.