WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Men's Volleyball splits in a Wilkes-hosted tri-match, falling to national #2 South Virginia before picking up a 3-2 win over Wilkes. 

The Pride move to 7-4 on the season and remain 0-0 in conference play. 

BY THE NUMBERS: GAME ONE 

• Josh Matchett led the team in assists with 5 and contributed 1 kill, 1 service ace, and 1 block assist. 

• Matthew Christ recorded 2 kills, 2 digs, and a service ace. 

• Michael Martino contributed 1 kill and a perfect serving percentage with 1 ace on 7 attempts. 

• Christian Wannamaker posted 4 digs, tying for the team lead in defensive effort. 

• Benjamin Heist provided solid backcourt defense with 5 total digs. 

BY THE NUMBERS: GAME TWO 

• Matthew Christ delivered a standout performance with 12 kills on 17 attempts, 7 digs, and 1 service ace. 

• Michael Martino led the attack with 18 kills and 6 digs, adding 1 block assist. 

• Josh Matchett quarterbacked the offense with 35 assists and 4 digs. 

• Jason Sandberg dished out 19 assists while also contributing 4 digs. 

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST SOUTH VIRGINIA 

• Southern Virginia set the tone early with a dominant start, jumping out to a big lead behind strong serving and blocking. Widener had trouble establishing its attack, managing just 3 kills in the frame. Josh Matchett and Matthew Christ each recorded early points, but a 6-1 SVU run in the middle of the set created separation as Southern Virginia took the opener, 25-10. 

• Widener showed some fight in the second set, keeping the score close early on. A kill by Christian Wannamaker and a block from Stephen Marquis helped Widener stay within striking distance. However, another big push from Southern Virginia, fueled by their serving, led to a decisive run that put the set out of reach as they claimed it, 25-15. 

• The third set followed a similar pattern, with Widener staying competitive early before Southern Virginia used a late surge to close it out. Michael Martino contributed a kill and an ace, while Benjamin Heist and Josh Matchett kept up the defensive effort. However, the consistent offensive pressure from SVU proved too much, sealing the match with a 25-11 final set. 

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST WILKES 

• Wilkes came out firing, using strong serving and an early 7-2 run to grab control. Izaiah Rivera and Michael Martino responded with a few kills to keep Widener within reach, but Wilkes' block proved difficult to overcome as they took the first set, 25-17. 

• Widener put together a stronger showing in the second set, fueled by Matthew Christ, who started heating up offensively. The Pride tied the set at 15-15 after a kill from Josh Akinwale, but Wilkes responded with a late 5-1 run to take control and close it out, 25-20. 

• Facing elimination, Widener flipped the momentum with an outstanding third set. Michael Martino and Izaiah Rivera led the attack, while Josh Matchett orchestrated the offense with sharp passing. A key 6-0 Widener run, featuring a kill and block from Stephen Marquis, helped secure the set as Widener stayed alive with a 25-18 victory. 

• Widener carried its momentum into the fourth set, building an early lead behind strong serving from Jason Sandberg and Christian Wannamaker. Wilkes fought back to make it 21-20, but Matthew Christ delivered back-to-back kills, and a block by Anioma Njokanma forced a decisive fifth set as Widener took the frame, 25-21. 

• The final set was a back-and-forth thriller. Michael Martino and Izaiah Rivera came up clutch with key kills, while Josh Matchett's steady setting allowed Widener to stay in control. With the score tied at 13-13, Stephen Marquis delivered a massive service ace, and Matthew Christ sealed the victory with a final kill, completing Widener's comeback with a hard-fought 15-13 win. 

UP NEXT 

The Pride will remain on the road as they travel to Elizabethtown, Pa to face the 8-3 Blue Jays of Elizabethtown.