2/16/25 Fulton, MO – The Westminster men's volleyball team faced a tough slate at the Wittenberg Tournament, dropping its first two matches before bouncing back with a dominant win over Wisconsin Lutheran. The Blue Jays now stand at 8-9 overall as they prepare for a road match against Edgewood on February 20. 

Match 1 vs Illinois Tech Edges (2-3) 

Westminster fought hard but came up short in a back-and-forth five-set thriller against Illinois Tech. Derrick Turner had a standout performance, leading the team with 21 kills (.306) and 13 digs, while Lucas Brown added 11 kills (.308). Jake Schawo-McAlister led the offense with 38 assists and 11 digs, but Westminster couldn't complete the comeback after falling behind early in the deciding fifth set. 

Match 2 vs Wittenberg (0-3) 

Against tournament host Wittenberg, Westminster struggled to find consistency, hitting just .224 as a team. Turner again led the way with 12 kills, while Dalio Taouil chipped in with 10 kills and 6 digs. Schawo-McAlister was a bright spot with an impressive 5 kills on 6 attempts to go with 28 assists and 12 digs, but the Blue Jays couldn't overcome Wittenberg's defensive pressure. 

Match 3 vs Wisconsin (3-0) 

Westminster rebounded in dominant fashion, sweeping Wisconsin Lutheran to finish the weekend on a high note. Derrick Turner (12 kills, .250) and Dalio Taouil (10 kills, .375) provided a strong one-two punch, while Brown added 11 kills and two block assists. Schawo-McAlister dished out 28 assists and led the defense with 12 digs, helping the Blue Jays control the match from start to finish. 

Westminster will aim to build on its momentum when it travels to Edgewood College on February 20. The Blue Jays will look to get back to .500 and continue refining their play as the season progresses.