Box Score (CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – Wilson opened up a busy weekend by welcoming Randolph for what turned out to be quite the non-conference clash on Friday evening. Although the Phoenix came up short in a three-set showdown, they gave the WildCats all they could muster.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 0, Randolph 3 (30-28, 25-18, 25-21)
Venue: Gannett Memorial Field Hous
Records: Wilson 4-8, Randolph 6-7
How It Happened
- The Blue and White got off to a strong start with the first three points of the game and took a 7-4 lead after kills from Jackson Wolfe (FY, Abbottstown, Pa. / New Oxford), Xavier Webber (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East), and Jacob McCoy (Jr., York, Pa. / Spring Grove). The WildCats answered with a 4-0 run to gain their first lead and showed fans just what kind of night it was about to be. A Ryan Koontz (So., York Haven, Pa. / Red Land) kill followed by a pair of Vincent Natale (Jr., Mt. Airy, Md. / Linganore) aces put the Phoenix back in front, but they couldn't pull away as the WildCats were able to keep answering. A kill from Demetrius Simmons (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) allowed Wilson to serve for the potential set point, however Randolph was able to find new life by scoring the next two points to tie the game. The teams alternated the next six points before an error allowed the WildCats to serve for set point. Wilson tied the frame once again after a bad Randolph set before the visitors closed it out and took a 1-0 lead following kills from Elijah Woods and Mats Beentjes.
- While the second set started out close, Randolph was able to inch itself into the lead. After a Webber kill made it 13-10 in favor of the visitors, they took control with a 4-0 run. Wilson generated some momentum with the next three points before the WildCats resumed control with a 5-0 rally to make the score 24-15. Wilson took the following three points before Randolph took the game and a 2-0 lead.
- Randolph built off the momentum of the second and started out the third with a 9-3 lead. The Phoenix didn't quit and chipped away at the deficit and eventually made it 12-9 after a Wolfe Simmons block. Unfortunately it was the closest they could get. Except for a 3-1 stretch that made it 20-17, points were evenly distributed the rest of the way.
Inside The Numbers
- McCoy led a balanced Phoenix attack with nine kills. Simmons and Koontz were right behind him with eight.
- Simmons was highly efficient swinging as he tallied his on just 11 attempts with one error for a hitting percentage of .636. He was a force on the defensive side of the net as well with seven blocks.
- Satvik Sharma (FY, Hummelstown, Pa. / Hershey) set up the offense with 32 assists.
- Camden Sterner (So., Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Grove) led the team on the receiving end with seven digs.
- Elijah Woods and Shamel Smith paced the WildCats with 12 and 11 kills, respectively.
Up Next
The Phoenix are on the road to Wilkes-Barre on Saturday for a tri-match with Bryn Athyn at King's.
