Glendale, Ariz.- After dropping their first two sets of the 2025 season, Arizona Christian rallied to win the third set and mounted a huge comeback in the fourth set before coming up just short against Dordt.  A trio of Freshman led the ACU attack.

Match Info

• Match score: Dordt- 3, Arizona Christian-1
  • Set 1: DU 25-22
  • Set 2: DU 25-20
  • Set 3: ACU 25-22
  • Set 4: DU 25-21
• Records: Arizona Christian- 0-1, Dordt- 3-1
• NAIA Top 10 Rank: Arizona Christian- RV, Dordt- RV
• Location: Firestorm Recreation Center, Arizona Christian University, Glendale, AZ

ACU Stats

• Connor Monahan- 20 kills
• Caleb Merlino- 11 kills
• Elijah Chiriac- 7 kills, 7 digs
• Madduxx Goron- 23 assists
• Kyle Berger- 15 assists

Inside the Box Score

• The Firestorm started the match with the early lead that grew to three points on several occasions
• But up 21-19 ACU could not hold on as Dordt score six of the final seven points
• Monahan had six kills in his first collegiate set
• The Defenders moved ahead in the early points of the second set and remained there
• A block by Korbin Torres and Torin Hanson started the third set and ACU never gave up the lead
• Sixteen points into the fourth set, Dordt held a 13-3 edge
• Behind 22-12 in the fourth, the Firestorm used a 6-0 run to get back into the set (two kills by Merlino)
• ACU continued to fight back to 24-21 deficit before DU secured the final point

Thoughts from Coach Bruns
"We have goals for this season and we are headed in the right direction.  I am proud of the way we fought but we have to execute the game plan better.  What was exciting was we had five freshmen on the floor and there are a lot of positives from such a young squad.  Connor, Caleb, and Elijah did some great things tonight. Jeremy's experience at IVC really showed as a Libero."
"We can keep our heads high but we have a long way to go."


Up Next
Next week, the Firestorm will head out to Iowa for three matches beginning on Thursday.