MIDWAY, Ky. -- After weeks of preparation, the Midway men's volleyball team got their season underway on Thursday night when they welcomed Kentucky State to Marshall Gymnasium.

It was a successful opening to the 2023 campaign for Jonea Rima's club as they swept the Thorobreds in straight sets for the 3-0 victory (25-19, 25-15, 25-18).

The win saw senior outside hitter Victor Bazzo pass a career milestone. A native Gloria de Dourados, Brazil, Bazzo put down three kills in the first set to pass 1,000 kills for his career. He finished the night with seven kills and now has 1,005 career kills.

Kentucky State – who falls to 0-6 on the season with the loss – got off to a strong start as they maintained a 7-5 lead in the first set. The Eagles immediately responded with a 5-0 run that turned into a 10-2 spurt forcing the visitors to call a quick timeout.

The Thorobreds burned their final timeout trailing 24-18, and they fought off one set point, but were unable to fight off the second. The duo of Eric Rosado (San German, P.R.) and Jai'Den Chinnis (Upland, Calif.) teamed for a block assist to seal the 25-19 win in the first set.

The second stanza saw the Eagles put together some of their best offense where they posted a .417 hitting percentage. They led by as many as nine, 12-3, but were forced to call a timeout after seeing the Thorobreds cut the deficit to 15-12. Midway later got back on track and closed the set on an 8-2 run to take a commanding 2-0 lead after winning the set 25-15.

Joey Boujaoude (Cincinnati, Ohio) served a pair of aces early in the third to help spark an 8-0 run that saw Midway take an 8-1 advantage. Kentucky State cut the deficit to six, but Midway won the set 25-18 to clinch the 3-0 victory.

Bazzo's seven kills led the way, while Boujaoude and Chinnis each put down six kills apiece. Daniel Cogo (Padua, Italy) dished out 23 assists and Colton Marsh (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the defensive effort with four digs.

As a team, the Eagles recorded 14 service aces in the win. Bazzo led the way with four, while Jonathan McGuyer (Sierra Vista, Ariz.) and Boujaoude each served three.

The Eagles will have a quick turnaround as they're set to return to action on Friday night when they host Culver-Stockton (Mo.) at 7 p.m. ET inside Marshall Gymnasium.

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