(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – An upstart Wilson men's volleyball team gave Neumann all it could handle, but it wasn't enough as the Knights defeated the Phoenix in four sets on Saturday afternoon.
Ryan Koontz (FY, York Haven, Pa. / Red Land) and
Jacob McCoy (So., York, Pa. / Spring Grove) both had strong days as both scored in double figures to lead the Blue and White, nearly helping them taking the third and fourth sets before the Knights came away with both to take the overall win.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 1, Neumann 3 (25-14, 21-25, 25-22, 25-22)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 3-7, Neumann 10-5
How It Happened
- The Knights opened up fast with a 10-5 start and forced Wilson to call an early timeout. Neumann was able to extend its lead throughout the set while preventing the Phoenix from scoring consecutive points throughout en route to a 1-0 lead.
- Wilson regained composure in the second game with an early 9-5 lead after a kill by Koontz. This time it was the Knights that were unable to string back-to-back points until they scored four of five cut the deficit to 15-13. Wilson responded with a 5-0 run fueled by a pair of Koontz kills and a block from Demetrius Simmons (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) and Vincent Natale (So., Mt. Airy, Md. / Linganore). Neumann scored the next four, but it was the closest Saria Alshaikhali (Sr., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Hayfield) and McCoy added kills late to even the match.
- The third was much more balanced between both teams and was tied as late as 20-all. Unfortunately it was the Knights that pulled away down the stretch with three kills on their final five points. Simmons added a kill to keep in the mix at 24-22, but the Knights landed the last attack for a 2-1 lead.
- Neumann scored the early lead and was able to hold onto it in the fourth, but it came with a battle by the Phoenix. The Knights led 14-8 at one point before the Phoenix stormed back with 10 of the next 13 points to take the lead. A block by Koontz and Simmons then put Wilson up 20-18. Unfortunately the Knights countered with the next five points. After Wilson scored the next two, the Knights closed the day on a kill and a Phoenix error.
Inside The Numbers
- Koontz had the best outing of his young collegiate career as he finished with a season-best 15 kills.
- McCoy also had a career day as he pounded down 13 kills for a new personal best. He also achieved it at an incredible rate on 22 swings with just two errors for an attack percentage of .500.
- Defensively Simmons had a strong day with three blocks and five digs. Koontz and Natalie also had multiple-block days.
- On the back line Camden Sterner (FY, Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Grove) had his best match of the year with 22 digs, five more than his previous best. Wyatt Tribett (So., Myersville, Md. / Middletown) also reached double-figures with 15 pick-ups.
- Alshaikhali had a well-rounded day with eight kills and nine digs.
Up Next
The Phoenix will have Sunday off before returning to the court against Penn State Behrend for a Monday matinee. First serve with the Nittany Lions is set for 1.
