(WILKES-BARRE, Pa.) – In its return match, Wilson fell to Wilkes in straight sets on the road on Thursday evening. The Colonels benefitted from a late run in the first set and were able to hold off a late push by the Phoenix as they tried to extend the match into a fourth set.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 0, Wilkes 3 (25-14, 25-16, 25-22)
Venue: Marts Center
Records: Wilson 3-6, Wilkes 13-4
How It Happened
- The Phoenix stayed with Wilkes at the opening and were tied with the hosts after a short 3-0 run after a Saria Alshaikhali (Sr., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Hayfield) kill. Unfortunately for the Blue and White, the rest of the set belonged to the Colonels. Four consecutive kills started a 7-1 run that ended up with a 15-9 lead for Wilkes. The Colonels eventually went up 1-0 by closing the first set on a 6-1 run.
- Play was again even through the first eight points to start the second and saw the Phoenix within one as late as 7-6. Wilkes then started to push ahead with the next four points and carried the momentum to a 22-12 lead. A pair of kills from Jacob McCoy (So., York, Pa. / Spring Grove) helped Wilson cut the deficit to 23-16 before the Colonels scored the next two to go up 2-0.
- Wilson came out a different team in the third and jumped out to a 6-2 start thanks to a Vincent Natale (So., Mt. Airy, Md. / Linganore) ace, kills from Wyatt Tribett (So., Myersville, Md. / Middletown) and Ryan Koontz (FY, York Haven, Pa. / Red Land), and a block by Demetrius Simmons (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) and Tribett. Wilkes was quick to respond and tied the set at 6-all before taking a 10-8 lead, but Wilson kept with the Colonels and regained the lead after a service error, a McCoy kill, and a McCoy block. Swings by Simmons and Alshaikhali kept the Phoenix tied at 16-16 before Wilkes scored the next three to go in front for good. Wilson fought until the end as a Koontz kill made the score 24-22 before Wilkes answered with one of its own to complete the contest.
Inside The Numbers
- Koontz led the team with six kills and reached double figures defensively with 12 digs.
- Alshaikhali and McCoy also helped the offense with five kills each. McCoy did so on 10 attempts for a hitting percentage of .300.
- Natale had the serving duties on the evening and finished with 17 assists. Defensively he was solid with eight digs as well.
- Aidan Hunter led the Colonels with a match-best 10 kills.
Up Next
The Phoenix open up a five-match home stand that takes place over spring break starting with a tri-match on Saturday with Penn State Schuylkill and Neumann. Wilson will start with Schuylkill at 10 a.m. and end day with Neumann after the Knights play the Nittany Lions in the middle match.
