(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – The Wilson men's volleyball team looked to get back into the win column with a tri-match involving Wilkes and St. Vincent on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix showed some promise early on, but eventually fell to the Colonels in four sets before being swept by the Bearcats to close the day.
The Basics
Scores: Match 1 – Wilson 1, Wilkes 3 (25-22, 25-12, 17-25, 25-19)
Match 2 – Wilson 0, St. Vincent 3 (25-19, 25-14, 25-19)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 2-4, Wilkes 6-1, St. Vincent 6-5
How It Happened (Match 1)
- Wilkes took an early 10-5 lead on the Phoenix to open the day, but it quickly became evident that Wilson was here to play as well as it rallied to take the lead just before the end game of the opening set. A kill by Xavier Webber (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) and an ace from Demetrius Simmons (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) sparked some momentum after making the score 10-7. Shortly after a pair of Ryan Koontz (FY, York Haven, Pa. / Red Land) kills jump started a 6-1 run capped by a block by him and Andrew Sviben (So., Bressler, Pa. / Central Dauphin East / Lourdes) gave the Phoenix a 17-16 lead. The Colonels were able to flip the momentum tide after with the next four points, and while Wilson was able to get back within one at 21-20 and 23-22, Wilkes was able to close out the set with kills from Jackson Shafer and Paul Binner.
- Wilson was able to start off strong in the second set with an early 3-1 lead thanks to a pair of blocks, the first of which was by Simmons and Saria Alshaikhali (Sr., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Hayfield) followed by a solo rejection by Sviben. A Sviben kill and a Colonels error left Wilson with a 6-4 lead before the visitors went on a massive 16-2 run to take control of the game. The Phoenix weren't able to recover and went to the third down 2-0.
- Another strong start provided hope for a comeback as Wilson scored the opening four points. Webber and Sviben opened with kills before Webber added two more points on aces. Four more Phoenix kills in the next six points helped Wilson go up 10-4. The Colonels were able to use a small 3-0 run to climb back within distance, but Wilson was able to extend its lead once again. A kill by Koontz put the Blue and White up 20-13, while a Sviben swing put them up 23-15. A Simmons kill gave Wilson new life as it forced a fourth set.
- Both teams went back-and-forth to start the fourth. Wilson eeked ahead 12-10 with a kill by Sviben, a block by Koontz and Simmons, and a Colonels error, but an 8-1 Wilkes rally gave them a 20-15 lead. The Phoenix tried to regroup and got back within two on an Alshaikhali kill, a Webber ace, and a Wilkes ball handling error, however Wilkes was able to close out the opening match by scoring five of the last six points.
Inside The Numbers (Match 2)
- The second match saw Wilkes sweep St. Vincent leaving both the Bearcats and Phoenix hungry for the final contest of the day. The teams were tied as late as 7-7 before the Bearcats took the lead for good with the next three points. Sviben and Alshaikhali allowed Wilson to get back within one, but the Phoenix were unable to tie the game as St. Vincent went up 1-0.
- After splitting the first six points in the second, St. Vincent seized momentum with the next five points aided by four Phoenix errors. A Webber kill and a Bearcats error made it 9-6, but the Phoenix were unable to take advantage as St. Vincent eventually took a 2-0 lead.
- The Phoenix scored four of the first five to start the third in hopes of forcing a fourth once again. After the Bearcats tied it up, Wilson jumped back ahead on an Alshaikhali kill and a Sviben ace. Unfortunately St. Vincent wasn't in the mood to back down and rallied to a 12-9 lead thanks to a pair of kills and three Phoenix errors. Wilson didn't go down easily and was back within one after a St. Vincent error made the score 17-16. It was the closest the Phoenix could get as St. Vincent completed the sweep.
Inside The Numbers
- The opening match saw the Phoenix come out swinging hard with the attack led by Webber who finished with 11 kills. He did so on 28 swings for an attack percentage of .214. He added seven more in the nightcap for a total of 18.
- Sviben provided the Blue and White another option as he tallied eight kills in both contests. He was also buy setting up the attack with 19 assists on the afternoon.
- Defensively Wilson was paced by Camden Sterner (FY, Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Grove) with 20 digs. He had a baker's dozen alone in the opening contest.
- Simmons provided difficulties for Wilkes up front as he went up for five blocks in the opening contest.
- Jackson Shafer led the Colonels with 13 kills in the opening match. Lucas Mages added 10 for Wilkes.
- St. Vincent was led by Shawn McSwiggen who had 13 kills while hitting .550 for the third match.
Up Next
Wilson will have some time off before returning to the court on Tuesday, February 13, at Chatham. First serve is set for 7 p.m. in the Steel City.
