CHESTER, Pa. - Widener hosted Nazareth and Drew in a home tri-match but came up short in both contests despite competitive efforts.
The Pride drop to 6-10 on the season.
BY THE NUMBERS - NAZARETH
HOW IT HAPPENED - NAZARETH
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Nazareth capitalized on early Widener errors to build a 6–4 lead in the opening set, but the Pride answered with a service aces from Wannamaker and Dahl and kills from Anioma Njokanma and Wannamaker to keep things even at 9–9. A block from Akinwale and Marquis, along with a Dahl ace, briefly gave Widener momentum, yet Nazareth responded with a strong mid-set run to take control at 12–9 and extend the margin to 18–11. The Pride mounted one final push with a 5–0 run highlighted by a Marquis ace and a Dunn-to-Wannamaker connection to trim the deficit to two, but Nazareth finished strong to secure the 25–18 set victory.
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The second set featured a back-and-forth battle early, with the score tied at 6–6 and later 10–10 as Wannamaker and Marquis found success off assists from Dunn. A block by Dunn and Akinwale helped Widener stay within striking distance, and kills from Njokanma and Marquis evened the frame at 15–15. Nazareth, however, seized momentum behind consecutive service aces to spark a 4–1 run that stretched the lead to 19–16. The Pride continued to fight, trimming the deficit to 23–19 on a Dahl kill, but the Golden Flyers closed out the set, 25–20, to take a two-set advantage.
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Widener responded in the third set with renewed energy, jumping out to a 7–5 lead behind a Marquis kill and service ace and a strong presence at the net from Akinwale and Dahl. After Nazareth used a 5–1 run to pull ahead 10–8, the Pride settled in, trading points before Akinwale and Njokanma delivered key kills to keep the set within reach. Trailing 18–15, Widener surged late as Dunn sparked the rally with a kill and a service ace to even the score at 19–19. The Pride continued to apply pressure down the stretch, getting clutch swings from Dahl and back-to-back blocks from Marquis and Akinwale to close out the 25–23 victory and extend the match.
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Widener battled through a back-and-forth fourth set, trading points with Nazareth before building a slight edge behind Njokanma and Akinwale at the net and key kills from Marquis and Dahl. The Pride maintained pressure as Dunn and Wannamaker contributed crucial swings, keeping the set close. Down the stretch, Dahl delivered a service ace and a kill, while Marquis and Akinwale added timely kills, but Nazareth rallied with consecutive points late to take the set 25–23, sealing the match for the visitors.
BY THE NUMBERS – DREW
HOW IT HAPPENED – DREW
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Widener fell behind early in the opening set against Drew, struggling to maintain momentum as the visitors executed a steady, balanced attack. Marquis and Wannamaker led the Pride offense, while Dunn tried to orchestrate from the back row, but errors and strong plays from Drew's front line allowed the visitors to pull ahead. Njokanma and Akinwale made key contributions at the net, but it wasn't enough to overcome Drew, who closed out the set 25–21.
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Widener battled to keep pace in the second set, but Drew continued to apply pressure from the start, forcing errors and converting attacks efficiently. Kevin Stubbs, Marquis, and Dahl led the Pride's offense while Dunn distributed the ball from the back row, but Drew's balanced attack and strong net play kept Widener behind. Key blocks from Njokanma and Akinwale slowed the visitors at times, but Drew ultimately secured the set 25–16.
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Widener remained competitive in the third set, trading points back and forth with Drew early, but errors and untimely attack miscues kept the Pride just behind. Marquis and Wannamaker led the offense, while Dunn and Tinio distributed effectively from the back row. Despite strong contributions from Akinwale and Brian Connelly at the net, Drew maintained a slight edge throughout, ultimately taking the set 25–19.
UP NEXT
The Pride remain at home on Thursday, February 26, as they take on Elizabethtown College. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
