Lawrence Tech Blisters Defiance in Three-Set Sweep Behind .604 Team Hitting

Lawrence Tech delivered a dominant offensive performance in a straight-sets sweep of Defiance College, winning 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-16) on Friday night at Don Ridler Fieldhouse in Southfield, Mich. The Blue Devils overpowered the Yellow Jackets at the net, hitting .604 as a team while limiting Defiance to a .000 attack percentage.

Lawrence Tech controlled the opening set from the midpoint on, using a surge of kills from Mario Cid and Akram Askoul to push the lead into double digits. With the Blue Devils firmly in front, Noah Lippman capped the frame at 25-14 with a kill off a set from Aguiar, establishing the tone for the match. Defiance struggled to generate consistent offense early, managing just 14 points and never mounting a substantial run.

The second set followed a similar script as the Blue Devils’ balance at the pins continued to create problems for the Yellow Jackets. Lippman sparked separation with a service ace and multiple kills as Lawrence Tech pulled away to a 22-11 advantage. Askoul then closed the door, putting away the final kill from Aguiar to secure a 25-15 decision and build a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

Defiance showed its best stretch to open the third set, jumping out to a 5-1 lead behind early kills from Philippe Meny. The Blue Devils quickly settled, however, regaining control with efficient side-out volleyball before turning the frame decisively in their favor. Cid took over down the stretch, registering multiple kills and a service ace during a closing run that turned a competitive set into a 25-16 clincher.

Cid led Lawrence Tech with 11 kills on 14 swings, hitting .786 and totaling 13.5 points with an ace, a solo block, three digs and an assist. Askoul provided another major option in the attack, finishing with 10 kills on a .692 hitting percentage and contributing on four block assists. Lippman added eight kills on 10 attempts to hit .800, pairing his offensive efficiency with a service ace and two block assists as part of a front-line group that produced six team blocks.

As a unit, the Blue Devils compiled 37 kills, five aces and 33 assists while committing only 12 attack errors on 53 swings. Their .604 hitting percentage underscored a consistent night in system and in transition. Defiance, by contrast, finished with 18 kills and 18 attack errors on 54 attempts to hit .000 and did not record a team block, though Meny and teammate Thaddeus Setla provided bright spots with six and five kills, respectively.

With the sweep, Lawrence Tech showcased a high-efficiency attack and balanced scoring that should provide momentum heading deeper into the season. In a match with 50 in attendance and officiated by first referee Ann Hutchins and second referee Laura Alves, the Blue Devils’ performance at the net and from the service line stood out as key factors in a comprehensive home victory.