DES MOINES, IOWA – Grand View Men's Volleyball earned a four-set win over Ottawa University on Wednesday night to secure their spot in the Heart of America Conference Championship, where they'll look to defend their title. The Vikings delivered a strong overall performance, bouncing back from a third-set loss to close out the match in four. Set scores were 25-21, 25-18, 23-25, and 25-16.
Daniel Galili and
Ryan Griffel were major contributors in the first set, each delivering five kills and two service aces. The duo accounted for all but two kills and one ace in the set. Defensively,
Leonardo Annichini collected a set-high four digs to power the Grand View offense, while setter
Rafael Obrusnik assisted on two blocks to slow the Braves' attack. The Vikings hit .241 in the set to overpower Ottawa, 25-21.
Galili kept the heat on in the second set, adding six more kills to his total and continuing to lead the offense. He also picked up two more aces and made an impact in the back row with three digs. Nine errors from Ottawa helped extend Grand View's lead, and
Malakai Christian made them work for every point at the net with two solo blocks and one block assist. The Vikings limited their opponents to a -.069 hitting average with nine errors and only seven kills in the set, closing it out 25-18.
A slight lapse haunted the Vikings in the third set, as they hit a game-low .103 with nine errors. Meanwhile, Ottawa found its rhythm, posting a match-high .318 hitting percentage. Obrusnik and Andre Leandro tried to spark the offense with three kills each, but the early deficit proved too much. Ten service errors from Grand View—compared to eight from Ottawa—further hindered their efforts.
Joshua Valencia anchored the back row with three digs, but the Vikings dropped the set 23-25.
The fourth and final frame saw
Thomas Weseloh explode for six kills, with Griffel adding five of his own to power the Vikings to victory. Middle hitters Leandro and Christian made an impact beyond their attacking, as Leandro dug up two balls and Christian chipped in with three block assists.
Rafael Obrusnik ended the night with 43 total assists, distributing the ball in a balanced offense that leaned on Galili, Griffel, and Weseloh. Grand View closed out the match with a dominant 25-16 win, earning their place in the Conference Championship game with a chance to defend their title.
GAME NOTES
- Daniel Galili delivered 15 kills, 5 service aces, and 7 digs.
- Ryan Griffel added 13 kills, 2 service aces, and 3 digs.
- Thomas Weseloh had 9 kills, a team-high .286 hitting percentage, and 4 digs.
- Malakai Christian recorded 3 solo blocks and 5 block assists.
- Rafael Obrusnik tallied 43 assists, 4 kills on 4 attempts, 2 service aces, 5 block assists, and 1 solo block.
- Joshua Valencia anchored the defense with 8 digs.
- Grand View hit .241 compared to Ottawa's .096.
- The Vikings posted 11 service aces, 18 block assists, and 5 solo blocks.
- Grand View is the 2024 Heart of America Conference Champion and will have a chance to defend their title this Saturday.
UP NEXT
Grand View will face No. 2 Missouri Baptist in Saint Louis, Missouri, this Saturday, April 19, at 1:00 PM for the Heart Conference Championship.
