(BRYN ATHYN, Pa.) – There was plenty for the Wilson men's volleyball team to be excited about with its defeat of Bryn Athyn in United East action on Wednesday evening. One day after finding out they were officially the first team in the league to clinch a spot in the conference tournament, results around the conference paired with the victory over the Lions clinched a home game in the playoffs as well.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 3, Bryn Athyn 1 (23-25, 25-12, 25-16, 25-18)
Venue: Asplundh Field House
Records: Wilson 12-12, 6-1 UE; Bryn Athyn 9-17, 2-4 UE
How It Happened
- While the Blue and White were celebrating at the end of the night, they did have to overcome a few hurdles. Things appeared to be going smooth after the Phoenix broke a 10-all tie with an 8-1 run capped by a block by Demetrius Simmons (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg) and Jackson Wolfe (FY, Abbottstown, Pa. / New Oxford). A kill by Wolfe later gave Wilson a 22-18 lead before Bryn Athyn caught fire and scored six-straight to serve for game point. Teams then exchanged service errors to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.
- Wilson was able to regroup and started the second set in dominating fashion with a 12-4 lead. Aces helped set the tone as there were four during the stretch with Simmons providing a pair of them. The Lions scored the next two points, but it was the only time during the frame they scored consecutive points as the Phoenix kept getting stronger. It came on a balanced effort as well as Wilson got kills from Jacob McCoy (Jr., York, Pa. / Spring Grove), Rob Kozicki (Jr., Camp Hill, Pa. / Camp Hill), and Wolfe down the stretch.
- Momentum carried into the third as Wilson opened up a 10-3 lead while scoring seven-straight at one point with Ryan Koontz (So., York Haven, Pa. / Red Land) served up three aces during the 7-0 run. Bryn Athyn remained competitive and was able to cut the deficit down to one on a couple of occasions, but the Lions weren't able to get over the hump. At 15-14, Wilson went on an 8-1 run to regain control. The Phoenix were then able to close out the game with a block by Wolfe and McCoy.
- The fourth set was closer throughout, but the Phoenix never trailed for the duration. A pair of early kills by McCoy and another by Xavier Webber (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) helped Wilson go up 9-5 to start. Back-to-back kills by Wolfe and Koontz later put the Phoenix up 16-9. The Lions responded with four of the next five points before Wilson recharged and scored the next three on kills from McCoy, Koontz, and Satvik Sharma (FY, Hummelstown, Pa. / Hershey). Kills by Wolfe and McCoy along with a Simmons Wolfe block helped Wilson finish off the Lions.
Inside The Numbers
- Wolfe led all players with 15 kills and was a dig shy of a double-double. Koontz did get there with 10 kills and 11 digs.
- Sharma orchestrated the attack with 36 assists. Including him, seven different players recorded kills for the Phoenix.
- Camden Sterner (So., Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Grove) once again led the back row with 13 digs to lead the team. Webber joined him in double-figures with 11.
- Up front Wolfe blocked five attempts while Simmons rejected four. Wolfe now has 18 blocks over the last three matches.
- Bryan Choute led the Lions' attack with 13 kills.
Up Next
One match remains in the regular season for the Phoenix which will come on Tuesday in the nation's capital against Gallaudet. A lot is on the line for the Phoenix as a win would give them a winning record in the regular season for the first time in program history. It would also lock in a bye to the semifinals in the conference tournament. First serve with the Bison is set for 7 p.m.
