HUNTINGDON, Pa. - The Pride battled through five sets to upset the No. 19 team in the nation, Hobart.
The Pride improve to 2-1 on the season.
BY THE NUMBERS
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Christian Wannamaker powered the Pride with a team-high 11 kills, while also contributing two service aces, two blocks, and 11 digs in a strong all-around performance.
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Quinby Dahl made his presence felt on both sides of the net, finishing with 13 kills, two service aces, and 11 digs to support the Pride offensively and defensively.
HOW IT HAPPENED
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Widener and Hobart traded points early in the opening set, with the score tied at 5–5 following a kill from Dahl. The Pride began to pull away behind a service ace from Wannamaker and consecutive kills from Dahl and Marquis, extending the lead to 10–6. Hobart briefly closed the gap to 15–14, but Widener responded with a strong stretch at the net, highlighted by blocks from Sandberg and Josh Akinwale and another kill from Marquis to regain momentum. The Pride continued to apply pressure late, pushing the advantage to 20–16 before closing the set on a 5–3 run, capped by back-to-back kills from Anioma Njokanma, to claim a 25–19 win.
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Hobart controlled the early stages of the second set, opening with a quick run to take a 5–1 lead. Widener worked to settle in offensively, getting kills from Dahl to cut the deficit to 5-8. The Pride continued to battle through the middle of the set, using points from Dahl, Wannamaker, and Akinwale to stay within striking distance at 12-16. Widener briefly gained momentum with a service ace from Dahl, trimming the margin to 15–17, but Hobart responded with a decisive run. Despite late efforts from Marquis and Wannamaker, Hobart pulled away down the stretch, closing the set on an 8–5 stretch to hand Widener a 25–20 setback.
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Widener stayed within reach throughout a tightly contested third set, answering Hobart's early points to remain close at 6–5 following kills from Marquis and Wannamaker. The Pride briefly pulled even at 11–11 behind consecutive points from Marquis and Njokanma, then continued to trade scores as the set moved into the middle stages. Widener used kills from Dahl, Akinwale, and Wannamaker to stay level at 17–17 and later again at 22–22. However, Hobart gained separation late with a service ace and back-to-back points to edge ahead. Despite Widener forcing extra points and pushing the set beyond regulation, Hobart closed on a short run to hand the Pride a 26–24 loss.
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Hobart controlled the early portion of the fourth set, building a 7–6 advantage behind consecutive service aces and steady sideout play. Widener answered with defensive pressure at the net, using a block from Sandberg and Akinwale to close the gap and knot the score at 9–9. The set remained tightly contested through the middle stages, with neither team able to separate as the Pride matched Hobart point for point and stayed even at 15–15. The match stayed neck and neck up until the final points, tying at 24-24. After Hobart saved one chance, Widener closed the frame on a service ace from Wannamaker to secure the 26–24 win.
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Widener seized control of the decisive fifth set from the opening serve, jumping out to a 3–0 lead behind a Sandberg service ace and a kill from Marquis. The Pride continued to apply pressure, extending the margin to 5–1 with a Marquis ace before Hobart attempted to steady itself. Widener maintained its advantage through the switch, leading 8–7 after blocks from Sandberg and Akinwale helped halt Hobart's momentum. The Pride pulled away late, stringing together points from Marquis, Njokanma, and Akinwale to build a 13–9 cushion. Hobart trimmed the deficit to 14–12, but Widener answered immediately, as Wannamaker delivered the match-clinching kill to seal the 15–12 victory and complete the five-set upset.
UP NEXT
The Pride takes on Juniata and SUNY New Paltz tomorrow, Saturday, January 24th, for day two of the tournament hosted by Juniata in Huntingdon, Pa. Match times are scheduled for 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM.
