Elgin, IL – The Judson Eagles battled through a five-set showdown on Tuesday night, outlasting Marian University in a 3–2 victory (20–25, 25–23, 26–24, 26–28, 15–11) at the Linder Fitness Center.

The night started with a special pregame ceremony honoring one of the star athletes in recent memory to don a Judson uniform in Elijah Wrobel. Wrobel played at the highest level leading the Eagles squad from 2021-2025 putting up record setting numbers. The Men's Volleyball program honored him with a special jersey retirement night. 

Wrobel also dropped by our commentary booth during the second set and it was great to here is thoughts now post graduating. 

In the game, which was the Eagles regular season home opener, after dropping the opening set, Judson responded with resilience and improved efficiency at the net, capturing the next two tightly contested sets before sealing the win in the fifth set tie-breaker. The Eagles showed their composure in clutch moments, and many new faces did their part in front of the program's benchmark in Wrobel on hand. 

After starting the game down 6-0 in the first set, the rest of the match was tight all night long, until finally the Eagles pulled away in the final moments of the fifth set. 

Mason Snodgrass led the offensive attack with 24 kills, adding three service aces and finishing with 27.5 points in an all-around performance. Oracio Martinez followed with 13 kills on a .345 hitting percentage, while Ramsey Vuorenmaa chipped in 10 kills, two aces, and key points late in the match.

Setter Adrian Martinez orchestrated the offense with 34 assists, while Judson's defensive effort was highlighted by strong blocking and hustle plays at the net. The Eagles totaled 66 kills, eight service aces, and 10 total blocks, hitting .238 as a team.

Judson's ability to respond after early adversity and execute in high-pressure moments proved to be the difference, improving the Eagles to 4–2 on the young season. The Eagles will now travel to Oakland City for three matches over the weekend.