(LANCASTER, Pa.) – The best season in program history came to a close as No. 2 Wilson fell to No. 1 Lancaster Bible in the United East Championship final on Saturday afternoon. The Phoenix were making their first championship appearance while the Chargers showed why they remained kings of the conference with their third consecutive championship.
The Basics
Scores: No. 2 Wilson 0, No.1 Lancaster Bible 3 (25-14, 25-14, 25-15)
Venue: Horst Athletic Center
Records: Wilson 14-13, Lancaster Bible 23-7
How It Happened
- LBC didn't waste any time in jumping out to an early lead as the hosts scored the first six points. The Phoenix attempted to climb back into contention with a 4-2 run capped by an ace from Ryan Koontz (So., York Haven, Pa. / Spring Grove) before the Chargers responded with five of the next six to take a 20-10 lead. Jackson Wolfe (FY, Abbottstown, Pa. / New Oxford) tried to spark a rally with a pair of kills in a 4-1 run before LBC closed the set with four-straight points.
- The Chargers took an early lead once again going up 8-3 to start before the Blue and White answered with the next four points closed by an Xavier Webber (Jr., Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Central Dauphin East) kill. However, LBC quickly regained control with an 8-1 run. A Wolfe kills and a Koontz ace helped bring Wilson back within five at 18-13 before the Chargers reeled off six-straight en route to a 2-0 lead.
- Another strong start by LBC saw it take a 9-2 lead. A pair of Wolfe kills and one by Koontz helped Wilson get back within four at 13-9 before the Chargers took back control on another 8-1 stretch. McCoy started a 4-0 push with a kill, but LBC was too far ahead and went on to close out the frame to repeat as champs again.
Inside The Numbers
- Wolfe led the Phoenix with six kills and added six digs on the back row.
- Koontz and Camden Sterner (So., Spring Grove, Pa. / Spring Grove) picked up seven digs each to lead the team defensively.
- Koontz added a pair of aces to lead the team on serving.
- A Balanced Chargers attack was paced by Jordan Yoder with 11 kills and also featured Carson Hoover with 10. Yoder recorded a double-double with a match-high 12 digs.
For The Record
- This season will go down in the record books as the first winning season in program history as the Phoenix finished 14-13.
- The defeat in the championship snapped the longest win streak in program history. Wilson entered the day as winners in its last six contests.
