WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Saint Elizabeth University men's volleyball team traveled to Gallaudet University on Saturday for a tri-match against the host Bison and Penn State Schuylkill. The Eagles were led by strong individual efforts throughout the day, highlighted by standout performances from Kennedy Ibezim in both matches.

Match One: Gallaudet 3, Saint Elizabeth 0

Saint Elizabeth opened the tri-match against host Gallaudet, falling in straight sets by scores of 25-15, 25-20, and 25-18.

Kennedy Ibezim paced the Eagles offensively with nine kills while hitting .562 and added a block. Carlos Saldana finished with three kills and four service aces, while Enock Joachim contributed three kills and 12 digs. Randel Romero handed out 13 assists and added four service aces, and Jameel Wright led the defensive effort with 14 digs.

As a team, the Eagles recorded 20 kills and four total team blocks in the match.

Match Two: Penn State Schuylkill 3, Saint Elizabeth 2

In the second match of the day, Saint Elizabeth battled Penn State Schuylkill in a back-and-forth five-set thriller before falling 3-2. The Eagles dropped the opening set 25-22, answered with a 25-21 win in the second, edged out a 26-24 third-set victory, fell 25-22 in the fourth, and were ultimately defeated 15-9 in the deciding fifth set.

Ibezim once again led the way with a dominant 17-kill performance while hitting .556, finishing with a match-high 19 points. Akash Jenkins added seven kills, Carlos Saldana recorded four kills and two service aces, and Kyzier Kelly contributed five kills. Romero directed the offense with 31 assists, while Joachim delivered a team-high 32 digs in the marathon match.

Saint Elizabeth totaled 37 kills and six team blocks in the tightly contested loss.

The Eagles showed resilience and competitiveness throughout the tri-match, particularly in the five-set battle against Penn State Schuylkill, and will look to build on that effort moving forward.