CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – The Vikings opened their 2026 season with a road match at Saint Xavier University on Friday evening. Grand View fell in straight sets, 25-16, 25-20, 25-19, at the Shannon Center. The Vikings dropped to 0-1 on the young season.
The first set saw Grand View battle early to stay competitive. Andre Lucas Alves Leandro opened the match with a kill, and Hayden Grange recorded a service ace to help keep the Vikings in contention.
Cheikh Sou delivered a kill to bring Grand View within two at 6-4. Matt Pennala and Caydann Cox added kills as the Vikings fought to stay within striking distance. Chris Davis and Jake Winters each contributed kills, but Grand View fell in the opening set 25-16.
The second set started with momentum for Grand View. Andre Lucas Alves Leandro opened with a kill, and the Vikings jumped out to a 4-0 lead. Jonathan Rzepa added a kill to give Grand View a 6-2 advantage, and Cheikh Sou came through with a key block alongside Rzepa.
Jake Winters and Andre Lucas Alves Leandro continued to keep the Vikings competitive in the middle of the set. Chris Davis added a kill from a set by Sou as Grand View fought back to 16-17. Sou connected again from Joshua Valencia, and Lucas Alves Leandro pulled the Vikings within 18-20. Despite the effort, Grand View fell 25-20 in the second set.
Facing a 2-0 deficit in the third set, Grand View looked to extend the match. Jonathan Rzepa scored early with a kill to tie the set at 1-1. Jake Winters added kills to keep the Vikings even at 2-2 and 6-6.
Andre Lucas Alves Leandro delivered multiple kills throughout the set, pulling Grand View within 10-12. Chris Davis and Cheikh Sou added kills to keep the Vikings within striking distance at 14-15. Grand View called timeout trailing 19-14, and Chris Davis scored to make it 15-19, but the Vikings couldn't complete the rally, falling 25-19 in the third set.
The Vikings will look to bounce back as they continue their season. Grand View showed flashes of strong play throughout the match, particularly in the second set where they led early, and will aim to build on those moments moving forward.
GAME NOTES
UP NEXT
Grand View plays Governors State University next, tomorrow at 1:00 PM. On Saturday, February 7th in University Park, IL.
