(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Senior Day provided one of the most exciting matches of the season as Wilson rallied to defeat Pratt in five sets on Saturday afternoon. The Cannoneers got the early jump on the Phoenix, but the Blue and White overcame the deficit by winning the final three sets.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 3, Pratt 2 (20-25, 23-25, 25-13, 25-15, 15-10)
Venue: Gannett Field House
Records: Wilson 7-12, 2-1 United East; Pratt 4-12, 0-4 United East
How It Happened
- Set 1 saw Pratt slowly build a lead over the beginning and middle game stages. For every point the Phoenix scored, the Cannoneers were able to score two or three which culminated in a 16-9 lead. Wilson climbed back into contention with a 5-0 run on the strength of three Demetrius Simmons (So., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) aces to climb back within two, but it was the closest they could get as Pratt took a 1-0 lead.
- It appeared the proverbial Phoenix ship had righted itself with a 9-0 start to the second with Wyatt Tribett (So., Myersville, Md. / Middletown) scoring three kills. However, Pratt countered with an 8-2 run to climb back into contention. Wilson maintained the lead until the Cannoneers reeled off eight-straight points to take a 22-20 lead. The Phoenix cut the deficit to one on couple of occasions after before a Jason Raymond kill put the visitors up 2-0.
- The Blue and White finally corrected their path with a dominant third set that saw them hit over .500. Kills from Saria Alshaikhali (Sr., Jeddah, Saudi Arabia / Hayfield) and Jacob McCoy (So., York, Pa. / Spring Grove) were followed by an Alshaikhali ace and a block by Ryan Koontz (FY, York Haven, Pa. / Red Land) to put the Phoenix up for good. Pratt stayed close until an 8-0 run fueled by a pair of kills from both Tribett and Simmons put Wilson up 22-11. Two more Tribett swings closed the set.
- Wilson jumped out to another fast start with six-straight points after an opening kill from Pratt on a balanced offense with four players recording kills. A pair of Simmons swings in a short 4-0 rally gave Wilson a 17-10 lead, and another Simmons attack closed the set to force a deciding fifth.
- The final frame was more closely contested than any other point of the match with neither team able to pull away until late. Thankfully it was Wilson who was able to do so with a 5-0 run after Pratt tied the set at nine-all. After a service error gave the Phoenix the serve back, McCoy downed two kills with Alshaikhali and Simmons finishing the run for a 14-9 lead. After a service error, Alshaikhali ended his senior day in style with a match-winning kill.
Inside The Numbers
- Wilson put down 65 kills to set a new program record surpassing the previous mark of 62 set at Bard College on February 3, 2018. Current head coach Aaron Hoke played in that contest and led the Phoenix with 24 kills in a five-set victory.
- Another program record that came as a result was the assist mark for a single match. Vincent Natale (So., Myersville, Md. / Middletown) provided the setup details and tallied 58 assists on the day, surpassing 51 set by Ian Firestone on a couple of occasions, one including the aforementioned match at Bard.
- Leading the attack was McCoy who had one of the best matches by any player anywhere this season. He totaled season-high 17 kills on 26 attempts with no errors for a hitting percentage of .656, good for No. 20 nationally by anyone in Division III with a minimum of 20 attempts.
- Alshaikhali followed with 15 and reached double-double status with 11 digs. Koontz was also strong on the receiving line with 15 digs. Koontz also led the team up front with four blocks, two of which were solo.
- Tribett finished with 14 kills while Simmons added a baker's dozen.
Up Next
The final regular season home game will be against Valley Forge and take place Tuesday evening at 7.
