(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – After four games on the road to start the season, the Wilson men's volleyball team hosted Wilkes for its home opener in non-conference action. The Phoenix stayed close with the Colonels for most of the night, but the visitors took home a 3-0 victory by scores of 25-18, 25-21, 25-19.
The Basics
Score: Wilson 0, Wilkes 3 (25-18, 25-21, 25-19)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 1-4, Wilkes 11-3
How It Happened
- Wilson got off to a great start and jumped out to a 5-2 lead to start the night with Jonathan Minnick (So., Dublin, Va. / New River CC), Xavier Webber (Fy., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East), and Jacob McCoy (Fy., York, Pa. / Spring Grove) all providing kills. From there the Colonels were able to come back and take the lead at 8-7. The teams exchanged leads once again before another Webber kill evened things up at 10-10. However, Wilkes was able to take control afterwards as the visitors went on a 9-1 run. The Phoenix made one last push with a 5-0 run with Webber scoring aces on three serves to cap the rally, but the Colonels closed out the set with three of the final four points to take a 1-0 lead.
- The Phoenix started of the second even hotter than the first and took a 7-2 lead as kills from Saria Alshaikhali (Jr., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Hayfield), Webber, Minnick, and McCoy helped push the lead. Wilkes again answered to tie the set at 8-all before Webber helped put Wilson back up 11-8 with a kill and an ace. But as they did in the first, the Colonels went on another 9-1 run to take control. The Phoenix again made a late rally and scored seven of nine points to make the score 24-21, but a Lucas Mages kill gave the Colonels the game and a 2-0 lead.
- The third set was the best start of the night for Wilkes as it opened up a 6-3 lead. The Phoenix stayed within striking distance for most of the set and trailed by two as late as 15-13, but the Colonels were able to slowly extend their lead the rest of the way en route to the third set win.
Inside The Numbers
- Webber led the Phoenix attack with eight kills. He chalked up an additional four points on aces to give him 12 for the night.
- Minnick set up the offense and tallied 17 assists. He chipped in a couple of kills while serving a pair of aces as well.
- Defensively libero Noah Wickenheiser (Sr., Cresco, Pa. / Notre Dame) paced the team with eight digs for co-game high honors. Webber followed with seven while Minnick picked up four.
For the Colonels
- Lucas Mages led the team with 11 kills. Zach Shay tallied 22 assists and led the team with eight digs.
Up Next
Wilson will be back in action this weekend when it hosts Widener on Saturday. First serve with the Pride is set for 6 p.m.
