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Evan Hoke
David Sinclair
3
Winner Keuka KEUM 5-12, 2-3 NEAC
2
Wilson WILM 6-7, 1-4 NEAC
Winner
Keuka KEUM
5-12, 2-3 NEAC
3
Final
2
Wilson WILM
6-7, 1-4 NEAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Keuka KEUM 25 23 23 25 15 (3)
Wilson WILM 23 25 25 21 9 (2)

Game Recap: Men's Volleyball |

Men's Volleyball Drop 5-Set Thriller

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Wilson Men's Volleyball team hosted Keuka in the second of back-to-back NEAC conference games this weekend. In a thrilling encounter the Phoenix (6-7, 1-4 NEAC) led 2 sets to 1 before dropping the final two sets to the Wolves (5-12, 2-3 NEAC), going down by a match score of 3-2.  

How It Happened: The tight nature of the match was established in the first set as both teams traded points early on. In his first game back from an injury sophomore Ian Firestone (York, Pa., York Suburban) was influential early as he combined with freshman Emelio Jones (Ft. Lauderdale, FL., Ft. Lauderdale HS) for 3 kills to lock the scores at 9 early on. This set continued point for point with the Phoenix managing a 4-0 run to move into a two point lead at 17-15. The Wolves fought back though, negating the big opposite hitting threat of Nick Baxter (Denver, Pa., Cocalico) with some big blocks and strong digs. Helped by some untimely service errors from the Phoenix, Keuka ran out first set winners 25-23.

The second set began in a similarly tight fashion with the teams trading points to again be locked at 9. The Wolves managed to pull away midway through the set before junior Evan Hoke (Chambersburg, Pa., Commonwealth Connections Academy)  and sophomore Dan Perry (London, England, Okanagan Secondary) began to find some form in the Phoenix back row combining for 32 digs on the day and propelling their side back into the match. Combined with some big spikes late in the set by Baxter and junior Aaron Hoke (Chambersburg, Pa., Commonwealth Connections Academy) the Phoenix took the second 25-23. Hoke carried his good form into the third on a day when he managed 13 kills for the match and the Phoenix rode out to an early lead at 10-5. The Wolves were persistent however, determined not to drop the important third set and pulled themselves back before some big defensive blocks by Jones and Firestone put the Phoenix back into a two point lead at 15-13. A late fightback by the Wolves was countered by a smart time-out late in the set before another big Aaron Hoke kill off the Wolves block sealed the third set 25-23 for the Phoenix.

Down two sets to one, Keuka came out firing in the fourth jumping out to an early lead with some strong defense of their own. The Phoenix offense was persistent but couldn't find the rhythm they had carried through the second and third sets. Aaron Hoke's standout day statistically was only further highlighted by his spike deflecting off the Wolves block before ricocheting back off his head into the unguarded Wolves court midway through the set; undoubtedly the most bizarre point of the day. The Phoenix continued to battle but were outmatched in the fourth going down 25-21 before the Wolves ran out 15-9 victors in the deciding fifth set. 

Inside the Box Score: The Phoenix were beaten in the attack percentages with Keuka notching a .254 mark in comparison to Wilson at .208. Sophomore Nick Baxter (Denver, Pa.)again led the Phoenix in kills with 18, complemented by Aaron Hoke (Chambersburg, Pa.) with 13 and freshman Emelio Jones (Ft. Lauderdale, FL.) with 9. In his second game back after concussion Ian Firestone (York, Pa.) was impressive at setter putting up 42 assists for his second highest single game mark this season.

Up Next: The Phoenix are in action in Erie, PA vs Penn St Behrend on Friday March, 30. The match will get underway at 5:00 pm.

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