BANNER
VTSU Johnson split Saturday's doubleheader at Emerson, falling 3-0 in the opener before storming back to win a five‑set thriller in the second match, 3-2, inside Brown & Plofker Gym.
SUMMARY
The Badgers opened the day with a competitive first match as Emerson controlled key late‑set moments in a 3-0 defeat. Johnson produced 23 kills in the opener, led by Io Binder (10 kills) and Luke Walters (4 kills), while setters Zeek Pontiatowski and Jayda Dominguez combined for 21 assists. After hanging close midway through each of the first two sets, Emerson's serving runs created separation in a 25-19, 25-19, 25-18 loss.
Johnson hit .238 in the third set—its best of the match—and collected nine kills, including strong swings from Binder and Walters.
The second match of two flipped the script for the Badgers. After dropping the first two sets (17-25, 21-25), Johnson ignited a massive momentum shift with a dominant 25-14 win in the third, powered by the ball control and seven kills in the frame. The Badgers continued rolling with a 25-15 win in the fourth, fueled by 11 kills and standout defensive play from Jayda Dominguez and Carter Hubley.
In a dramatic fifth set featuring five ties and three lead changes, Johnson delivered clutch points behind Walters, Binder, and Pontiatowski, sealing the comeback with a 17-15 victory and evening the day's results.
KEY STATS
Match 1
- Io Binder: 10 kills, 1 ace, 1 block, 1 dig
- Luke Walters: 4 kills, 1 block, 1 dig
- Zeek Pontiatowski: 18 assists, 3 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace
Match 2
- Io Binder: 12 kills, 1 ace, 16 digs
- Luke Walters: 10 kills, 2 aces, 6 digs
- Liam Carrick: 2 kills, 1 ace, 4 blocks
- Team: 37 kills, 6 aces, 7 blocks, 60 digs
Doubleheader Totals
- Io Binder: 22 kills, 2 aces, 17 digs
- Luke Walters: 14 kills, 3 aces, 7 digs
- Zeek Pontiatowski: 48 assists, 4 kills, 17 digs
- Team: 60 kills, 7 aces, 8 blocks, 87 digs across 8 sets played
UP NEXT
The Badgers return to action at home on Saturday, February 14th, hosting a doubleheader against Wheaton College at 10 am and 12 pm.