Seventh-ranked Lourdes opened the 2015 men's volleyball season in thrilling fashion on Friday evening, rallying from two sets down to defeat 10^th-ranked Robert Morris (Ill.) 23-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-18, 15-7 at Tam-o-Shanter.
 
"This was a great way to start the season against a quality opponent," head coach Greg Reitz stated after the victory.  "We looked a little nervous to start, but responded and battled back.  To come from 2-0 down to win instead of giving up is something we can build on as the season moves along."
 
Jo'Lon Clark (Compton, Calif./Long Beach Poly H.S.) tallied 24 kills with just one error for a .535 hitting percentage while tallying 14 digs defensively.  Amaury Miranda (Naranjito, P.R./Luis Munoz Marin H.S.), playing in his first collegiate match, handed out 60 assists.
 
"Jo'Lon played extremely well," Reitz added.  "Amaury steadied out and really located well as the match progressed."
 
Lourdes jumped on top quickly in the opening set, building a 7-3 advantage.  The Gray Wolves led by two to three points most of the set until four straight points by the Eagles put the visitors on top 22-20 and the two sides would trade sideouts the remainder of the set.  Lourdes hit .406 in the opening set but Robert Morris made just two miscues in the attack.
 
In the second set it was Robert Morris that took the quick lead, scoring the first four points.  The Eagles' lead grew to seven, 14-7, before Lourdes began to battle back.  Trailing 22-17, the Gray Wolves closed to within one, 23-22, but was unable to tie the set.
 
The Gray Wolves raced out to a 6-1 advantage in the third set and never looked back.  Neither would score more than two consecutive points the rest of the set, as Lourdes cut the deficit in half.  Robert Morris hit just .167 in the third while Lourdes posted a .393 clip.
 
Lourdes offense continued to click in the fourth, committing just one error against 14 kills, posting a .500 hitting percentage.  A 12-5 run allowed the Gray Wolves to take control and build a 17-8 advantage, which eventually forced a decisive fifth set.
 
"I thought we played better and better each set," Reitz concluded.  "We grew as a team as the match went along."
 
In the fifth, Lourdes scored four of the first five points and never trailed.  Leading 8-5, the Gray Wolves scored five of the next six points to secure the victory.  Lourdes did not commit an error in the fifth while Robert Morris hit .000 with five miscues.
 
Garrett Jones (Las Vegas, Nev./Las Vegas H.S.) tallied 17 kills while Frank Craig (Jacksonville, Fla./Englewood H.S.) added 16 kills and seven blocks.  Brad Miller (Convoy, Ohio/Crestview H.S.) notched a match-high 17 digs as the Gray Wolves outdug Robert Morris 58-41.
 
Lourdes hit .385 for the contest with 10 blocks defensively, seven coming in the final two sets, including four in the fifth.
 
Colby Magorien led Robert Morris (3-1, 2-1 GLC) with 17 kills and 12 digs while Paris McFall added 10 kills.  Jimmy Dwyer handed out 49 assists for the Eagles.
 
Lourdes (1-0, 1-0) will return to the court on Tuesday evening as the Gray Wolves travel to Adrian, Mich. to battle Siena Heights in a non-conference match.  First serve is set for 7 p.m. at the SHU Fieldhouse.