GOSHEN, Ind. - In their first conference match of the season, the Goshen men's volleyball team took down Mount Vernon Nazarene in three sets, winning 25-23, 25-21, 25-20. This was just the second time in the nine-match series between the two teams where it has taken just three sets. Both of those were won by the Maple Leafs, and both have happened within the last year.

Goshen led by eight in the first when the Cougars had a 5-0 run to pull within three. They came within one on multiple occasions but Goshen prevailed late to win 25-23. The teams were tied 17-17 in the second when the Maple Leafs went on a 6-0 run to go up 23-17. MVNU scored three times when Goshen was at set point, but a service error gave Goshen the point they needed to go up 2-0.

Goshen scored six of the final eight points in set three to win 25-20, the largest margin of the three sets. The Leafs particularly did well at the net, with three solo blocks from Bruno Barac and two each from Ishmail Bangura and Ben Koop. Bangura had three block assists as well. Andrea Biffi had four block assists and Sawyer Frystak had three.

Koop led the squad with 12 kills and had a .375 attack percentage. He is averaging 3.06 kills per set this season - the fourth-highest among NAIA players that have played in ten or more matches. Bruno Barac had five kills in his five total attempts. He also led Goshen with four aces. Jonathan Arias had six digs and Avery Laforce provided 24 assists.

GC (4-6, 1-0 WHAC) hosts Bethel on Tuesday, February 11, at 7:00 pm.