Dubuque, Iowa - The Lewis University men's volleyball team swept Clarke College 30-19, 30-22, 32-30 in Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball action.

The Flyers (7-5, 3-1 MIVA) limited Clarke (1-5, 0-5 MIVA) to a negative .059 hitting percentage for the match. Lewis recorded 14 team blocks and had 34 digs in the three-game match.

Enrique Escalante, Jeff Soler and James Elsea led a three-pronged attack that saw each player register eight kills. Elsea was the Flyers' most potent offensive weapon, posting a .563 hitting percentage on the evening.

Escalante and J.J. Castellano provided the Flyers' best defensive performances; Escalante notched 10 blocks, while Castellano had a career-high 12 digs. Escalante's 10 blocks marked the second consecutive match that the sophomore middle blocker had recorded at least 10 blocks.

Lewis, who has never lost a game to Clarke, staved off a pair of game points in game 3. Trailing 29-28, Elsea pounded a kill to even the score at 29-all. Clarke scored a point on the ensuing play on a hitting error by Soler, but Elsea clinched the game with a kill and a block that put the Flyers up for good.

Lewis, ranked No. 13 in the Feb. 9 American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, will face conference-leading and 14th IPFW ranked on Valentine's Day. The Flyers will be seeking redemption after losing to the Mastodons 3-1 on Jan. 28 in Romeoville. Match time is 7 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Ind.

2/10/04