(FREDERICK, Md.) – Thursday's men's volleyball match between local foes Wilson and Hood saw plenty of action and went down to the wire. Once the smoke settled, it was the Blazers that outlasted the Phoenix in a five-set, come-from-behind heart breaker.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 2, Hood 3 (28-26, 19-25, 19-25, 25-23, 15-12)
Venue: Volpe Athletics Center
Records: Wilson 1-5, Hood 0-5
How It Happened
- The first set was a good indication of how the night would go as it featured 13 ties and six lead changes. Wilson opened up the match with a fast start, going up 5-1 on the Blazers with kills from Ryan Koontz (So., York Haven, Pa. / Red Land) and Jackson Wolfe (FY, Abbottstown, Pa. / New Oxford). Hood bounced back and eventually tied it at 6-6 to start the back-and-forth between the teams. Back-to-back aces put the hosts up 21-17, but the Phoenix soon caught up and tied it at 22-all on the strength of a Jacob McCoy (Jr., York, Pa. / Spring Grove) kill and a Vincent Natale (Jr., Mt. Airy, Md. / Linganore) ace. The Phoenix served for game point on three occasions, but the Blazers stayed alive each time and took a 1-0 lead after three consecutive points.
- The Phoenix bounced back in a big way in the second with another strong start that saw them go up 5-2. Koontz fueled the offense with a pair of kills and an ace while Demetrius Simmons (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) and Wolfe provided an early block. This time Wilson stayed in front for good. Shortly after, the Phoenix went on a 9-2 run which started and ended with an Xavier Webber (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) kill. The Blazers were able to cut the deficit down to three once again, but that was the closest they got as Wilson tied the match after kills from McCoy and Koontz.
- The third set started out much like the first and saw the teams go point-for-point through the first 28 points. After being tied 14 times, the Phoenix took the first two-point lead of the frame after a Hood service error, a Koontz kill, and another Blazers miscue. It was the first 3-0 run of the set and put Wilson up for good. Although Hood stayed within one, the Phoenix caught fire and went up 2-1 on a 7-2 run that featured a pair of Wolfe kills and a Wolfe Simmons block.
- Hood got the fast start in the fourth with a 7-3 advantage, but the Phoenix were able to catch up and tie the set at 13-all. Wilson stuck with the Blazers, but was unable to get over the hump as the hosts forced a fifth set.
- The Blazers kept the momentum and opened the fifth with the first four points. Kills from Wolfe and Webber followed and helped the Phoenix climb back within two at 8-6. Another Wolfe spike kept them within reach, but Hood was able to complete the comeback with kills on two of the next three points.
Inside The Numbers
- McCoy had an incredible day on the attacking end with 12 kills on 21 attempts for a hitting percentage of .429. Webber and Wolfe were right behind him and also reached double-figures with 10 kills each.
- Satvik Sharma (FY, Hummelstown, Pa. / Hershey) set up the offense with a season-best 40 assists.
- On the defensive side, Sharma, Camden Sterner (So., Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Grove), and Webber all shined on the receiving end. Sharma and Sterner led the team with 11 digs, while Webber recorded his second double-double of the season with 10 pick-ups.
- Wolfe was also impressive up front with four blocks on the night. Simmons was right behind him with three.
- The Blazers put up a talented trio up front themselves as Charles Casas led their offense with 26 kills. Sean Seely added a dozen and finished with a double-double on 13 digs. Blake Catts added 11 kills.
Up Next
Wilson will have the week off before returning to action on Super Bowl Sunday when it entertains the very same Hood team as well as Hilbert for a tri. Hilbert and Wilson will start the day at 11 a.m. After Hood and Hilbert play each other at 1 p.m., the Blazers and Phoenix will go Round 2 at approximately 3.
