LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Spalding University men's volleyball continued its strong early-season play with a pair of victories over Midway University on Feb. 2 and Feb. 3, 2026.
TURNING POINT
In the first meeting at Midway's Marshall Gymnasium, the Eagles delivered a commanding 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-20, 25-17) behind a balanced offensive attack and efficient execution. Spalding outpaced Midway in nearly every statistical category, finishing with 47 kills to 26 and a robust .390 hitting percentage as a team.
Max Atherton led the attack offensively with 13 kills, while
Tye-Anthony Curtis added 10 and
Aakash Malvankar contributed nine. Setter
Brayden Overberg guided the offense with 31 assists and helped anchor the back row alongside
Alex Brey, who posted nine digs. From the opening set, Spalding dictated the pace, consistently converting on scoring opportunities and keeping Midway off balance throughout the match.
The second contest, played the following night at Columbia Gym in Louisville, was a more contested affair but ultimately ended in another Spalding victory, this time a 3-1 win (28-26, 24-28, 25-19, 25-13). After splitting the first two tight sets, the Eagles turned up both their serving pressure and offensive consistency to claim the final two frames and the match.
Tye-Anthony Curtis was outstanding with a match-high 17 kills, and Malvankar added 15, while Atherton chipped in 12, giving Spalding a multi-pronged attack that Midway struggled to contain. Overberg again played a pivotal role, leading with 40 assists and contributing three aces. Defensively, Spalding maintained control with solid blocking and digging, helping to swing momentum in their favor during key junctures of the third and fourth sets. Across the weekend, the Eagles' depth and balanced scoring made the difference, as they finished with 57 kills to Midway's 36 and drew eight aces to Midway's three.
NEXT FOR SPALDING
The Golden Eagles will return to action this Saturday. SU will face a double header against St. Mary of the Woods and Kentucky State.
