HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Widener men's volleyball was tested by elite competition on Saturday, opening the day against No. 3 Juniata before closing the twinbill versus No. 13 SUNY New Paltz. The Pride came up short in both matches.

The Pride drop to 2-3 on the season. 

BY THE NUMBERS - JUNIATA 

• Stephen Marquis led Widener with seven kills, providing a steady offensive presence against the nationally ranked Eagles. 

• Quinby Dahl followed with five kills and recorded the Pride's lone service ace in the match. 

• Anioma Njokanma contributed four kills and paced Widener at the net with three total blocks, while Matthew Randall also added three blocks defensively. 

• Jason Sandberg ran the Pride offense with 21 assists and added six digs, matching Kevin Tinio for the team high, as Widener worked to extend rallies from the back row. 

HOW IT HAPPENED - JUNIATA 

• Widener battled No. 3 Juniata point for point through the opening stretch of the first set, trading scores and remaining tied at 4–4 early behind kills from Njokanma and Christian Wannamaker. Midway through the Pride hada brief surge, highlighted by a Dahl service ace and kills from Marquis and Josh Akinwale to even the score at 11–11, but Juniata answered with a steady run to regain control. Widener stayed within striking distance late, getting kills from Njokanma, Wannamaker, Akinwale, and Marquis, yet the Eagles closed the set on a 6–2 stretch to secure the 25–19 win. 

• Juniata used kill to open the second set, but the Pride quickly settled in and matched the Eagles point for point through the opening stretch, staying even at 5–5 behind kills from Dahl. The set remained tightly contested into the middle frames, with neither side able to gain separation as blocks from Akinwale and Randall helped keep the score close. Juniata began to build momentum midway through the set, stringing together consecutive kills to open an 18–15 advantage. Widener continued to fight late, trimming the deficit to 21–20 after a Marquis kill and a block at the net, but the Eagles responded with timely points down the stretch. Juniata closed the set on a 4–1 run to claim the 25–21 decision and take a two-set lead. 

• Juniata jumped out early in the third set, capitalizing on a Widener service error and back-to-back kills to take control of the opening points. The Eagles steadily extended their lead through the middle of the set, using efficient offense and Widener miscues to build a 10–4 advantage. Widener showed flashes of momentum behind kills from Akinwale and Marquis, trimming the margin to 15–8, but Juniata continued to respond at key moments. The Eagles maintained pressure late, stretching the lead to 20–11 as Widener struggled to string together consecutive points. Despite late kills from Randall and Marquis, Juniata closed the match on a decisive run, finishing the set 25–14 to complete the straight-set victory. 

BY THE NUMBERS – NEW PALTZ 

• Quinby Dahl led Widener offensively with a team-high 10 kills, pacing the Pride's attack throughout the match. 

• Christian Wannamaker followed with seven kills while also recording a team-best six digs, contributing on both sides of the ball. 

• Anioma Njokanma added six kills and a block to provide a presence at the net for the Pride. 

• Jason Dunn guided the offense with 19 assists, while Jason Sandberg chipped in 13 assists and two service aces to help keep Widener in rhythm. 

HOW IT HAPPENED – NEW PALTZ 

• Widener and SUNY New Paltz stayed close through the opening stretch of the first set, trading points and remaining even at 9–9 behind kills from Dahl and Njokanma. The Hawks began to gain momentum midway through the frame to build a slim advantage at 11–9. The Pride continued to battle, tying the score again at 18–18 after a Dahl kill, but New Paltz responded with a decisive run. The Hawks capitalized on errors to close the set on a 7–1 stretch, pulling away for a 25–19 win. 

• The Pride opened the second set with early momentum, jumping out to a 3–2 lead behind a Sandberg service ace and a Stephen Marquis ace to apply immediate pressure. SUNY New Paltz answered with a quick run, capitalizing on errors to take control at 7–4, forcing a Widener timeout. The Pride regrouped and stayed within striking distance, using kills from Dahl and Marquis to keep the margin at 11–8. New Paltz steadily extended its lead midway through the set, stringing together points to move ahead 18–11. Widener showed resilience late, trimming the deficit to 24–17 with consecutive points from Dahl and Josh Akinwale, but the Hawks closed out the set to secure the 25–17 win and take a 2–0 advantage in the match. 

• The third set featured another tightly contested battle, with both teams trading points early and remaining even through the opening stretch. Widener stayed within striking distance behind kills from Wannamaker, Dahl, and Matthew Randall, tying the score multiple times, including at 10–10 and again at 13–13. SUNY New Paltz began to create separation midway through the set to build a 19–16 advantage, prompting a Pride timeout. Widener continued to fight late, getting points from Njokanma, Randall, and Akinwale to secure the 25–23 win.  

• The fourth set saw Widener battling early, with kills from Njokanma, Dahl, and Randall keeping the Pride close through the opening exchanges. Both teams traded points, but New Paltz began to pull ahead in the mid-set to build a 16–13 lead. Widener continued to fight, with contributions from Akinwale and Randall, narrowing the gap at 21-18 and forcing a timeout. New Paltz responded after the break and steadily extended its lead, eventually closing out the set 25–18 to sweep the Pride in the match. 

UP NEXT 

The Pride return home on Thursday, January 29, to take on Wilkes. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.