ST DAVIDS, Pa. - Widener Men's Volleyball struggled with finishing out sets as they lose 3-1 to Randolph Macon and 3-0 to Eastern.
The Pride fall to 8-8 on the season and 1-3 in conference play.
BY THE NUMBERS
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Josh Matchett would lead both games in assists with 39 in game one and 32 in the second.
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Michael Martino would have a hot day hitting, leading the team in both games in kills with 16 and 15 respectively.
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As a team, the Pride would outblock Randolph Macon 8-7.
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The Pride would have more kills and a higher hitting percentage than Eastern despite losing.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST RANDOLPH MACON
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Both teams came out strong to begin the match, as the Pride was only down 3-4 to begin. The Pride would go on a 4-0 run led by Matchett, but the Yellow Jackets would score 11 straight in response, putting the Pride down again at 7-15. A run of 5-1 would put Widener down 11-23, and a kill and ace would finish set one as the Pride would lose 12-25.
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The second set again started close, as both teams tied at 4. A 3-1 run led by Matthew Christ and Stephen Marquis pushed the Pride to a 7-5 lead, but the two teams were trading scores for a majority of the set. A Nick Poulson kill would spark a 4-0 run later in the set to put the Pride in a commanding 21-15 lead, but the Yellow Jackets would try to mount the comeback as they shortened the lead to 23-20. A Randolph Macon error and a kill from Matchett to Christ would see the Pride take the set 25-23.
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The third set again was a close one to begin with, as neither team could create much separation on the scoreboard from each other. Up 11-10, Widener would give up four straight points only to put up three straight of their own to tie the set again at 14. Down 20-22, a Martino-led run of three straight would see the Pride take a 23-22 lead, and a Matchett kill would make the score 24-23. Unfortunately, the Yellow Jackets would score three straight to steal the set as the Pride would fall 24-26.
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The fourth set would have both teams battling, as Christ's kills gave the Pride the early lead at 9-8. Randolph Macon's 6-1 run however would see them take the lead, and a 3-0 run moments later would have Widener down 13-18. Christian Wannamaker would lead the Pride to five straight points, and another 3-0 run later in the set would have the set tied again at 23. Martino's two kills would have the Pride up 26-25, but again the team would give up three straight to lose the set and match 26-28.
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST EASTERN
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The Pride start the first set against Eastern close as they tie at five to begin. Poulson and Christ lead the team to a 3-0 run, but the Eagles would go on a 5-1 run to take the lead at 9-10. Later in the set, Widener would go on a dominating 9-1 run led by back-to-back Matchett aces to take a 21-14 lead. The Eagles would continue to fight, but Wannamaker's kill would put the Pride up 24-18. Unfortunately, Widener would surrender a heartbreaking 9-1 run and lose the set as Eastern would steal a 27-25 win in the set.
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The second set was all Eastern to start as Widener starts down 3-6. The Eagles would score four straight soon after to push the lead to 5-10. The teams would then go on alternating two-point runs, as Christ's kills would keep the Pride in the game, but Martino would have three kills in a 5-1 run to have Widener down only 21-23. Martino would get another kill before the end of the set, but an Eastern kill would sink the Pride 22-25.
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The Pride started the third set strong as Christ led the team to a 6-3 lead, however a 4-1 Eagles run would tie the set at 7. It seemed like Eastern scored two for every one Widener point, until a 5-1 run would have the Pride down 13-20. Martino would lead a 4-1 run to close the gap at 17-21, and he'd lead a 5-1 run to get the Pride down 23-24. An Eastern kill would finish the set and match however, as the Pride would fall 23-25.
UP NEXT
The Pride will enjoy some time off for spring break before returning home to face the #2 ranked Stevens Institute of Technology Ducks. First serve is Saturday, March 16 at 12pm.