DES MOINES, IOWA — The Grand View men's volleyball team, ranked 5th, hosted the 4th-ranked William Penn Statesmen on Saturday afternoon. Both teams had previously played two regular season matches, with Grand View winning both, but they had emerged as co-conference champions. The Viking's victory in the Heart of America Conference Tournament Championship meant they held all head-to-heads with the Statesmen. Grand View won the tournament title for a 7th time with a flawless sweep over the Statesmen, with set scores of 25-21, 25-21, and 25-15.

Grand View started the championship match with a united front, taking an early 8-4 lead. Although William Penn University (WPU) regained some footing with a block, Grand View's unity continued to shine through with a 14-10 lead, forcing WPU to take an early timeout. Daniel Galili, Daniel Wong, and Leonardo Annichini, each contributing a kill, secured the opening set in favor of Grand View University (GVU), who won the set 25-21.

The Statesmen managed to control an early lead in the second set; William Penn raced to 10, but it wouldn't be long before the Vikings regained control with a 14-12 lead. A Galili kill and block would see the Statesmen into another timeout, and the tables turned following the Statesmen's only lead of the match. Grand View had 18 kills in the second set, ultimately being the deciding factor. Bayron Valdez would catch fire in the closing moments of the second set, recording a kill and a block to set GVU up for their second set point, where Annichini put down a kill to send the Vikings one away.

The Grand View Vikings were looking to secure their 7th Heart of America Tournament Title, with just one set standing between them and victory against the William Penn University Statesmen. Valdez made a streak, increasing the Vikings' lead to 18-8 and forcing WPU to call a timeout. Despite the break, Valdez continued his impressive performance and issued an ace on the following serve. The Statesmen struggled at the line, giving the ball back to Grand View and setting up another ace, this time by Dalton Dencklau. With a kill from Galili and a side out from Penn, the Vikings claimed their 7th banner and secured the sweep. 

Team Notes

• Daniel Galili had the hot hand for the Vikings in their final HOA match, recording 14 kills on just 22 swings (.591) and six digs. 
• The win secures Grand View's 7th HOA Tournament Banner and gives the team an automatic qualifying bid to the National Championships 
• Leonardo Annichini, the Vikings' defensive anchor, recorded eight digs and was second offensively with 13 kills. 

UP NEXT?
Grand View will await the selection show to see the road ahead for the #BattleofTheRedBanner, where the team secured an automatic qualifier bid. The National Championship will begin on April 30th with Pool Play in Cedar Rapids, IA.