Phoenix Pummel Patriots

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Wilson College men's volleyball team took on the University of Valley Forge in Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) action this evening at the Gannett Memorial Field House. The Phoenix (2-6, 2-2 CSAC) claimed a 3-0 victory over the Patriots (0-10, 0-3 CSAC) with set scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 25-17.

How It Happened: Trailing 4-3 in the first set, the Phoenix used a 5-0 run that featured a pair of kills by freshman Jackson Cordell (Waynesboro, PA, Waynesboro Area Senior H.S.) and sophomore Saria Alshaikhali (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Hayfield High School) to take a 8-4 lead. Later in the set, the Patriots used a run of their own to tie things at 11, but a kill by junior Noah Wickenheiser (Cresco, PA, Notre Dame) stopped the run and put the Phoenix up 12-11. Kills by seniors Shae Cardenas (Torrance, CA., ) and Eric Holz (Williamsport, PA., Loyalsock Township) were part of 6 point run that saw the Phoenix advantage grow to 18-13. Leading 23-20, the Phoenix closed out the first set with back-to-back kills by senior Andrew Hetzer (Chambersburg, PA., Cumberland Valley Christian) and Cardenas to take the set 25-20. Set two featured back and forth scoring runs by each team. After falling behind 4-1 early, the Phoenix rattled off five straight points to take a 6-4 lead. A rally by the Patriots put the visitors up 10-9, but again the Phoenix had an answer as a kill by Jackson started a string of six straight points and a 14-10 lead. Later in the set, the Patriots pulled within one point on two occasions at 17-16 and again at 22-21, but each time the Phoenix held off the rally and Alshaikhali closed out set two with a kill. Cardenas got things started in set 3 with a kill. Midway through the set, the Phoenix tallied seven of eight points to take a 17-9 advantage. During the run, Cordell scored a kill and two service aces. A kill by Hetzer and back-to-back service aces by senior Connor Martin (Warner Robins, GA., Houston County) gave the Phoenix a commanding 20-10 edge as the team closed out the set 25-17 and the match 3-0.

Inside the Box Score: The Phoenix recorded a season high 30 kills on a .078 attacking percentage with a season high 25 assists. Alshaikhali tallied 7 kills in his season debut while Cordell also tallied 7 kills to go along with 2 aces. Hetzer dished out a match high 21 assists while Wickenheiser recorded a match high 10 digs. 

Up Next: Wilson will be back in action tomorrow night at home with a CSAC match against Pratt University at 7:00 p.m.

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