(CRESSON, Pa.) – Xavier Webber (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) downed 18 kills and
Andrew Sviben (So., Bressler, Pa. / Central Dauphin East / Lourdes) added 16 more as Wilson took down Mount Aloysius in a five-set thriller on Tuesday evening. The Phoenix are now 2-0 for the first time since the 2018 season.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 3, Mount Aloysius 2 (22-25, 28-26, 25-19, 22-25, 15-10)
Venue: MAC Athletic Convocation and Wellness Center
Records: Wilson 2-0, Mount Aloysius 1-2
How It Happened
- An early 5-0 run helped the Mounties jump ahead of the Phoenix and stay there in the opening set as the hosts took a 1-0 lead. The Mounties led at one point 19-11, but Wilson was able to close the gap and threatened to take the opening game after a 4-0 run capped by a Jacob McCoy (So., York, Pa. / Spring Grove) and Sviben block made the score 23-20. Wilson further made the score 24-22 before an error gave the Mounties the early lead.
- The second set ended up being crucial as extra points were needed and a MAC win would give the hosts a 2-0 lead. Thankfully the Phoenix were able to avoid that scenario. A kill by Webber gave the Blue and White a 24-22 lead, but the Mounties made the Phoenix work every bit for the game as they staved off the potential game point twice. Wilson was able to finally put the game away after a kill from Ryan Koontz (Fy., York Haven, Pa. / Red Land) and a Sviben ace.
- Mount Aloysius jumped out to an 8-4 lead in the third, but Wilson bounced back in a big way with a 15-3 run fueled by four kills form Webber. The Mounties got as close as 20-17 before a 5-2 run capped by a pair of MAC errors gave Wilson a 2-1 lead.
- The Mounties were able to tie the contest in a fourth set they led from start to finish. They led by as many as six before Wilson started to rally. The Phoenix cut the deficit to as few as two late before an Austin Plummer kill sent the match to a fifth set.
- Wilson never trailed in the fifth and was able to prevent the Mounties from getting too much momentum. A pair of Sviben kills helped set the tone early, while Webber helped close the evening with two kills down the stretch, including the deciding match point.
Inside The Numbers
- Webber had an exceptional night as he totaled 18 kills on 41 attempts with a hitting percentage of .341. He was busy on the defensive side as well with 12 digs for his first double double of the season.
- Sviben joined him in the double double club with 16 kills. Defensively he picked up 14 digs. On the serve he led the team with four aces.
- Other defensive leaders included Camden Sterner (FY, Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Gave) who picked up 14 digs. Saria Alshaikhali (Sr., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Hayfield) added 10. Demetrious Simmons (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) was also busy up front with four blocks, two of which were solo.
- The Mounties were led by Matthew Franz who led the match with 23 kills and hit .333 on the evening.
- This is the second consecutive meeting that Wilson and Mount Aloysius have gone five sets. Wilson also won last year's meeting in Chambersburg.
Up Next
The Phoenix will look to keep the momentum going with a tri-match at Elizabethtown on Saturday. They will take on the Blue Jays at 11 a.m. before following up with Eastern University at 1.
