1/13/25 Fulton, MO – The Westminster men's volleyball team capped off a historic weekend in Utica, New York, with a 3-1 record, marking an impressive start to their inaugural season. Competing in four matches over two days, the Blue Jays showcased both potential and resilience, closing with victories over SUNY Poly and Misericordia on Sunday.
Match 1: vs Russell Sage (3-0)
The Blue Jays secured their first win in program history in their opening match against Russell Sage. Despite dropping the first set, Westminster rallied to take the next three sets with strong performances across the board. Key players included Connor Layman, who led the team with 10 kills and a .400 hitting percentage, and Luke Rohrbach, who added five kills and three service aces. Jake Schawo-McAlister contributed 29 assists and eight points in the victory.
Match 2: vs #17 Nazareth College (0-3)
In the second match of the day, the Blue Jays faced a strong Nazareth team, who evened their record at 1-1 with a 25-21, 25-21, 25-19 win. Despite the loss, Westminster showed resilience and flashes of potential as they continue to develop their program. Aidan Ortmann led the team with eight kills, adding 8.5 points. Rohrbach posted a .429 hitting percentage with three kills, and contributed 7.5 points, including four blocks. Jake Schawo-McAlister tallied 17 assists and four digs while managing the Blue Jays' offense. Dalio Taouil, added four kills and contributing defensively with four digs.
Match 3: vs SUNY Poly (3-1)
On Sunday, Westminster rebounded with a 3-1 victory over SUNY Poly (25-17, 25-17, 27-29, 25-19), using a balanced attack and solid defense to claim their second win of the season. Taouil and Ortmann powered the offense with 12 and 11 kills, respectively, combining for 30.5 points. Schawo-McAlister tallied 40 assists, orchestrating the offense to perfection, while Rohrbach contributed seven kills and 10.5 points with a .583 hitting percentage.
Match 4: vs #14 Misericordia (3-1)
The Blue Jays ended their weekend with another 3-1 win, defeating Misericordia University (25-21, 21-25, 25-21, 25-22). Westminster's front line was dominant, led by Ortmann with 14 kills and 16 points. Connor Layman added six kills and seven points, while Ryan Rhodes anchored the defense with 13 digs. Schawo-McAlister contributed 33 assists and three points in the final match, ensuring a successful conclusion to Westminster's first weekend of competition.
Westminster's historic first weekend sets the stage for a promising inaugural season. The Blue Jays return to action on Friday, January 17, when they travel to Concordia University Chicago. Westminster concludes its opening weekend with a 3-1 record, proving that the foundation is firmly in place for a bright future in Division III men's volleyball.
