WILKES BARRE, Pa. - The Widener men's volleyball team came away with a split in its MAC tri-match against Wilkes and Misericordia on Friday night in Henry Gymnasium at Wilkes University's Marts Center. The Pride swept Wilkes, 25-13, 25-21, 25-20, for their first conference victory after losing to Misericordia, 25-14, 25-18, 25-22, in their first match.
The split put the Pride at 4-7 overall and 1-4 in MAC play.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST WILKES
- Matthew Christ had his best performance of the year for the Pride, tallying a career-best 19 kills while also leading them with five aces, five blocks and 27.5 points. The first-year from Newfoundland, N.J. currently ranks third in the MAC in points per set with 4.30 and fourth in the conference in kills per set (3.54) and aces per set (0.51).
- Josh Matchett led the Pride with 39 assists, which tied his career high. The junior setter, who has nine career matches with over 30 assists, currently ranks sixth in the MAC in assists per set with 7.86.
- The Pride dominated the match, tallying a season-high 47 kills while only allowing a season-best 14 to the Colonels. The Blue and Gold also had a season-high 46 assists as a team.
- Christ, Matchett, and Cole Nagle paced the Pride's defense, making seven digs apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST MISERICORDIA
- After having a tough time in the first two sets, the Pride looked as if they were going to make a run at taking the third set after jumping out to an 8-4 lead, then being tied with the Cougars at 17. Unfortunately, the Cougars went on an 8-5 run to win the match.
- Christ and Dylan Beer paced the Pride with eight kills apiece. Beer also led Widener with three blocks.
- Matchett handed out 20 assists in the defeat.
- Nagle did all he could on defense for the Pride, leading them with 11 digs.
UP NEXT
Widener will be back in action on Tuesday when it hits the road again to take on Neumann inn on-conference action. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
