FREDERICK, Md. - Widener Men's Volleyball end their 2024 season on a high note, sweeping the Blazers of Hood College on the road. 

The Pride finished 11-11 on the season and 3-5 on conference play. 

BY THE NUMBERS 

• Matthew Christ had a monster game to close his junior season. He had seven kills and a block assist and led the team with eight service aces. 

• Josh Matchett would play the last game of his 5th doing what he does best. He led the game with 16 assists and added four kills and three block assists. 

• Michael Martino led the team with nine kills, recording a solo block and block assist and two assists. 

• As a team, the Pride finished on a four-game streak of out blocking their opponent. This time, the Pride ended with nine blocks to Hood's one. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• The first set started close, as the Pride were up 3-2. The team would go on a dominant 14-0 run led by Martino to take a 17-3 lead. The Blazers would go on a 6-0 run to close the gap, but a Martino kill would put the Pride up 20-10. Hood would score four straight, but Widener's three straight points would put the Pride up 23-15. Another Martino kill and a Blazer error would seal set one as Widener would win 25-16. 

• The Blazers would start strong in the second set as they would score four in a row, but a 6-1 Pride run would have them regain the lead at 6-5. Shortly after, Christ would score two kills and aces as Widener would go on a 9-0 run to take a 15-6 lead. Another 6-1 run led by Cox's block and ace would have the Pride in position to take the set at 20-9. The teams would trade points down the stretch, but a Matchett pass to Kaden Massi would have Widener take a 25-15 win. 

• Widener would start ahead 6-3 early in set three. Later in the set, two kills from Christ would have the Pride go on a 5-1 run to put the team up 14-8. Christ again would contribute massively with three aces Widener would score six straight to extend their lead to 21-11. Hood would attempt to shorten the lead late in the set, but a Yavan Patel kill from Matchett's pass would seal the set and match at 25-15.