HAMILTON, Ont. – In the span of eight days, the Mohawk Mountaineers men's volleyball team has beaten two nationally ranked opponents, earning a 3-2 victory over the No. 15 Conestoga Condors on Saturday.

Mohawk opened the first set with an 8-5 lead. Conestoga drew even at 12-12, but the Mountaineers responded with four straight points to regain control and went on to take the set 25-21.

The second set featured 12 ties before Mohawk appeared in control at 23-20. The Mountaineers held set point at 24-22, but the Condors battled back to level the score. Conestoga then held set point at 25-24, and two more times after that, but each time Mohawk answered. The Mountaineers finally closed out the marathon set 29-27.

Set three remained tight early before Conestoga broke through, pulling ahead 15-8. Mohawk couldn't recover and dropped the set 25-17.

The fourth set was another close battle, with Conestoga holding set point at 24-23. Mohawk responded with two straight points to create a match-point opportunity at 25-24. The Condors answered in turn, eventually taking the set 28-26 to force a deciding fifth.

In the final set, Conestoga built a pair of two-point leads, but the Mountaineers answered each time and moved ahead 8-5 at the changeover. Mohawk never relinquished the lead from there and secured the set 15-11 to close out the match.

Dean Zicari (Burlington, Ont.) led the Mountaineers with 17 kills, while Brecken Morrison (Stouffville, Ont.) delivered 33 assists and 23 digs.

Mohawk opens the second half of the season Jan. 14 when they visit the Sheridan Bruins at 8 p.m.