GOSHEN, Ind. - The 2025 Goshen men's volleyball season concluded on Saturday with a gritty three-set loss against #4 Lawrence Tech. The Blue Devils won 25-18, 25-22, 25-20. The contest was the last for Goshen senior Pablo Sanchez, who was recognized before the match began.

Goshen's hitting percentage for the match was .424 - their second-highest this season and their highest in a loss. Lawrence Tech came into the match with a 15-0 record in the WHAC, and they hit the ball even better. They had a .568 hitting percentage with 52 kills and ten attack errors. Goshen hit .500 or above in two of the sets and Lawrence Tech did so in all three.

LTU was only up one at 18-17 in the first set but ended it on a 7-1 run. The teams were tied 22-22 in the second but the visitors won the final three points. Similarly in the third set, they held a one-point lead at 21-20 when they won the final four points of the match.

Ben Koop had 14 kills and no attack errors in 23 total attempts for a blazing .609 hitting percentage. Ishmail Bangura had nine kills, Sawyer Frystak had seven and Andrea Biffi had four with no attack errors in five total attempts. Avery Laforce had 33 assists, averaging 11 per set. Goshen only had ten digs as a team, their second-lowest total this season. Alessandro Olgiati, Andrea Biffi and Ben Koop each had a solo block.

Goshen finished the season 4-22. The Maple Leafs earned a WHAC conference player of the week award four times this year. Ben Koop was the WHAC men's volleyball attacker of the week for January 20-26, Igor Sapucaia was the setter of the week for January 20-26 and Bruno Barac was the defender of the week twice, winning the award for the weeks of January 20-26 and February 24-March 2.

Read below to see what was said about Goshen senior Pablo Sanchez during the Senior Day recognition:

Being recognized today is #18, Pablo Sanchez! Pablo is being escorted by his mother Erica and his girlfriend Gloria. He is an exercise science major with a minor in communication. After graduation he plans to become an assistant coach at a university in Michigan, pursuing his dream of becoming a coach. Coach Phillips says, "Pablo has demonstrated so much personal growth and dedication during his time at Goshen. We are excited to see where he goes from here and wish him the best."

Pablo has totaled 399 digs in his career as a Maple Leaf. He has played in 271 sets and 82 matches. He has 37 aces and 60 assists to his name. Pablo has demonstrated a full life of faith, unity, learning, and leadership during his time as a Goshen College student-athlete. His legacy is cemented into the history of Goshen College and he will forever be a Maple Leaf.

Fans, please help me give a round of applause to our 2025 men's volleyball senior, Pablo Sanchez!