Sunday, May 4, 2003 | 4:08 a.m.
LONG BEACH, Calif. AP) - Lewis University became the first Division II team to win the NCAA men's volleyball title Saturday night, beating Brigham Young 42-44, 30-27, 30-21, 23-30, 15-13.
"Determined is the only word I can use to describe my team," Flyers coach Dave Deuser said. "They got what they wanted."
Gustavo Meyer had a match-high 21 kills and was selected the tournament's most outstanding player. Fabiano Barreto added 18 kills and six digs, Ryan Stuntz had 15 digs and Jose Martins had 55 assists for the Romeoville, Ill., school.
The third-seeded Flyers, the first team from the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball Association to win an NCAA title, won 16 of their final 18 matches to finish the season 29-5.
"The key was emotion," Barreto said. "We put our hearts out on the court."
Rafael Paal had 20 kills and 10 digs, and Jonathan Alleman added 18 kills for the Cougars (23 (7)-, who fell short in a bid for their third title in five years.
"I don't know if it was nerves, their serving really well or what," Alleman said. "I think we maybe came out too relaxed."
The teams set an NCAA record in the first game for the most combined points in a tournament game since rally scoring was introduced in 2001.
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