GLENSIDE, Pa. – Volleyball became the first men's varsity sport to debut at Widener University in 50 years as the Pride took to the court at the Arcadia Tri-Match on Saturday afternoon. In the opener, Widener was upended by the host Knights in a Middle Atlantic Conference contest before falling to Baruch in a non-conference tilt, both by 3-0 scores.
 
The last men's sport to start a varsity program at Widener was lacrosse in 1968. In a day of beginnings, the match between the Pride and the Knights was also the first conference match ever for the MAC in men's volleyball.
 
HIGHLIGHTS VS. ARCADIA (22-25, 8-25, 12-25)

• Widener battled well in the opening set as after falling behind 19-11, the Pride ripped off 11 of the next 16 points to close the gap to 24-22 before Arcadia was able to finish the frame.
• Wil Cacciatore led the Pride with six kills in the match.
• Kyle Minder topped the Blue and Gold with a .429 hitting percentage on seven swings.  
• A.J. Sungenis had seven digs and three kills while Billy Barclay recorded 13 assists.  

 
HIGHLIGHTS VS. BARUCH (14-25, 18-25, 13-25)

• Cacciatore led Widener again with six kills.
• Sungenis had five kills and teamed with Minder for the first block in team history in the opening set.
• Dave Lehmann led the squad with six digs.
• Barclay had 17 assists to go along with three digs, two kills, and an ace.

 
UP NEXT
Widener returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Misericordia for a Middle Atlantic Conference match. Opening serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.