CANTON, Mo.. - Kansas Wesleyan University Men's Volleyball team continued Heart of America conference play this afternoon as they visited the Culver-Stockton College Wildcats. The Coyotes battled the Wildcats in a close match with the Coyotes coming out on top; winning 3-1 with scores of 25-23, 27-29, 29-27, 25-19. 
 
To start set one was neck in neck from the start with neither team having a lead larger than three points. KWU had to answer after a quick punch by C-SC game them the 22-20 lead. The Coyotes would respond with a kill by Ryan Wagner from the set by Ethan Ricketts. C-SC then gifted KWU a point with an attack error. The Coyotes then gave the point right back with a service error to tie things up at 23-23. The Coyotes would then get the next point off of a block by Justin Burras and Ryan Wagner and seal the deal with another block to Ryan Wagner for the 25th point to win the first 25-23. 
 
The second set brought even more back and forth action and going beyond the 25 point cap after a service error by KWU tied it up at 25-25. The Wildcats then capitalized with a kill but the Coyotes quickly reopened with a kill of their own by Jaron Lindsay. An attack error by KWU would give that point right back putting the score at 27-27. The Wildcats went on to put to kills together and claim the second set 27-29. This would tie the match at 1-1.
 
The third set brought the same energy and hype as set two. KWU nearly found a way to win it in 25 points but the Wildcats found a way to tie things up. A kill by Zayin Martinez would give the Coyotes the 26-25 advantage until Wildcat kill tied it up again at 26 all. C-SC then gave KWU a point with an attack error but claim it back with another kill to take us to 27-27. Justin Burras came up clutch for the Coyotes as he collected another kill to give KWU the 28-27 lead and strong net presence but the Coyotes forced an attack error by the wildcats. This error would make the score 29-27 and give KWU the third set now leading 2-1 in the match. 
 
After weathering the storm of three really tight sets KWU was one set away from getting out of Canton with a win. They started the fourth set just like the first three with a back and forth duel until the Coyotes started to build a lead with kills by Zayin Martinez and Colin Lindo, and an attack error by the Wildcats' Jack Laney. Along with a few Wildcat attack errors the Coyotes found themselves out front 19-15. The Coyotes would hold this lead and clinch the forth set 25-29 and secure the match win 3-1. 
 
The Coyotes improve to 5-7 overall and 2-4 in Heart of America Conference play. 
 
The Men's Volleyball will return home on Tuesday, March 4th. Where they will host the William Penn University Statesmen in another conference match up. Game time is 7:00 p.m. at Mabee Arena.