Phoenix Fall Short to Knights

ASTON, Pa. - The Wilson College men's volleyball team hit the road today to take on the Knights of Neumann University in non-conference play. The Phoenix (0-3, 0-0 CVC) were topped by the Knights (1-0, 0-0 AEC) by a score of three sets to nil, with set scores of 25-16, 25-15, and 25-13.

How it Happened: The Blue and White took an early 2-1 lead in the first set, this sparked a 5-0 Neumann that put them in front, 6-2. Junior Shae Cardenas (Torrance, CA., West Los Angeles CC) ended the run with a kill assisted by junior Andrew Hetzer (Chambersburg, PA., Cumberland Valley Christian). Later on in the set, Wilson came within one point, 10-9, after Hetzer and senior Oliver Perry (London, England, Okanagan Secondary) both collected kills. But the Knights jumped on another 5-0 run as they closed out the first set by a score of 25-16. 

In the second set, Neumann took control early as the Phoenix tried to claw their way back into the match. Perry, Hetzer, freshman Ian Ruiz (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Colegio y Noviciado Santa Maria del Camino), and freshman Saria Alshaikhali (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Hayfield High School) all gathered kills that helped spark the Wilson offense but it proved too little too late as the Knights went on to take the second set by a score of 25-15.

Perry corralled the first point for the Phoenix in the final set. Shortly after, Alshaikhali added another kill to his tally as Wilson pulled within two points of their opponents. The Knights then started another that pushed them in front, 11-5, as they would close out the final set by a score of 25-13.

Inside the Box Score: Wilson finished with 16 kills on 75 attempts against 24 errors while their opponents finished with 30 kills on 89 attempts against 14 errors. Alshaikhali led the offense with five kills on the night. Perry rounded out the night with four kills, seven assists, and one ace while  Hetzer added four kills, seven assists, and an ace. Ruiz and sophomore Noah Wickenheiser (Cresco, PA, Notre Dame) tallied six digs each in the match.

Up Next: The Phoenix will be back in action on Tuesday, March 30, when they will travel to take on the Patriots of the University of Valley Forge (0-1) at 7:00 pm.

Follow us on Twitter: @ignite_the_fire 
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WilsonCollegePhoenix
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/phoenixathletics