The Wabash College volleyball team opened the 2024 season Wednesday afternoon against Thomas More University. The Little Giants rallied to claim the third set over the Saints but fell in four sets by a score of 3-1 in the neutral-site match played at Ball State University.
 
Wabash (0-1), under first-year head coach Ashaun Baker, put together a spirited run against the NCAA Division II team from Thomas More (1-1) in the third set of the match. After falling behind 4-0 to the Saints, Wabash rallied for two consecutive points with a service error and an ace from senior Ricky Sessions. Thomas More moved in front 7-3 before the Little Giants scored a four-point rally to even the match at 7-7. Bawibawi Thang put away three kills during a 7-0 Wabash scoring run, along with another from Patrick Volk, to put the Little Giants up 10-7.
 
Wabash maintained its lead in the third set, eventually holding a 20-15 scoring edge. The Saints mounted their own rally, outscoring Wabash 8-3 to even the score at 23-23. The teams traded points, matching scores at 25-25 to move into overtime for the set. The score remained even at 26-26 after the next two serves until Volk put away his third kill of the set to provide a one-point Wabash lead. An attack error by the Saints on the next play ended the set with a 27-25 victory for the Little Giants.
 
Wabash was unable to keep its momentum rolling into the fifth set. The Little Giants fell behind 2-1 and could not recover in a 25-17 loss in the final set.
 
Wabash lost the opening set 25-20 and fell 25-18 in set number two.
 
Thang paced the Little Giants on offense with 15 kills and a .370 attack percentage. Ricky Sessions added nine kills, and Volk finished with seven kills for the match. Beikes handed out 29 assists with a .345 set percentage. Christopher Beard recorded 16 digs in his first collegiate match to pace the Little Giants and scored a .917 reception percentage. Sessions finished the day with a reception percentage of .886, with Thang close behind at .857.
 
Wabash tallied 34 total kills in the match and had five service aces with a .857 serve percentage.
 
The Little Giants opened the day against Ball State in an exhibition match, losing 3-0. Wabash played the Cardinals in an exhibition match on Tuesday, as well, also dropping a 3-0 contest to the NCAA Division I program.
 
Wabash travels to Rockford, Illinois, on Friday, January 19, for a match against Rockford University.