(CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.) – In its final non-conference match of the season, the Wilson men's volleyball team was defeated in straight sets by Penn State Behrend on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix got stronger as the day went on and nearly forced a fourth set, but was ultimately defeated despite forcing the third to need extra points.
The Basics
Scores: Wilson 0, Penn State Behrend 3 (25-17, 25-19, 28-26)
Venue: Gannett Memorial Field House
Records: Wilson 7-11, 1-0 UE; Penn State Behrend 7-12, 1-0 AMCC
How It Happened
- The Lions started out strong and took a 10-4 lead thanks to a balanced attack. That lead grew to as many as 12 at 21-9 before Wilson started to mount a comeback. A 6-1 run with three kills from Jackson Wolfe (FY, Abbottstown, Pa. / New Oxford) followed, but the deficit was too much to overcome as the Lions took the first set.
- The Phoenix never led in the second, but they did stay close with Behrend for the most part and never let the visitors get too far ahead. Jacob McCoy (Jr., York, Pa. / Spring Grove) and Xavier Webber (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) made an early block to make it 6-5 while Wolfe later made it 11-9 after a kill. The Lions remained strong and slowly grew its lead and eventually won by six.
- Wilson had its best stretch of the day at the start of the third and used a 6-0 run to open a 10-4 lead on the Lions. McCoy had three kills during the stretch while Wolfe added a pair of aces. Behrend scored four-straight to gain the lead at 18-17, but Wilson bounced right back with the next two points to reclaim it. The Lions countered with a 4-0 run to take a 23-21 lead and were the first to serve for the potential game point after a Daniel Easly kill. Wilson was able to answer and took a 25-24 lead after a block by Wolfe and Demetrius Simmons (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg). Wolfe added another kill to keep Wilson with the advantage after the Lions tied it up at 25, but Behrend scored the next three to take the sweep.
Inside The Numbers
- Wolfe led the Wilson attack with eight kills.
- Camden Sterner (So., Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Grove) paced the Phoenix on the receiving end defensively with 12 digs.
- Webber had a decent day defensively with three blocks and eight digs.
- Easly led the Lions with a match-best 14 kills.
Up Next
Wilson will resume conference play as it welcomes associate member Neumann on Monday. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m.
