MARCY, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's volleyball team split their opening day matches at the 12-team SUNYIT Invitational tournament January 24. Hilbert captured a 3-1 victory over Wells College before they dropped a 3-1 loss to Wentworth Institute of Technology in the night cap match.

Senior Adam Weaver finished with 35 kills (4.38 kps) and 4 service aces, and 5 solo blocks over the course of the eight sets played. Ryan Ratajczak picked up where he left off last year getting credit for 4.12 digs per set (33 total).

David Mellerski, rotating out of the setter's role this year, finished with 16 digs and junior Adam Duncan added 5 blocks at the net. First year Hawk, Adam Heftka set for 54 assists good for 6.75 assists per set.

Hilbert and Wells played two close sets as play began on Friday. Hilbert won both sets by two points (26-24, 25-23) then slipped to a 25-19 loss. The Hawks rebounded for a final win (25-18) to improve to 1-2 early in season. Wells finished with better bottom-line stats than the Hawks, but they also committed 25 service errors giving away the win.

Weaver led the Hawks at the net with 21 of the team's 36 kills. Korey Schwab added 5 kills and Duncan and Andrew Wolbert chipped in 4 apiece. Heftka found 32 assists and Ratajzak (18) and Mellerski (10) led in digs. Duncan, Weaver and Wolbert each had 2 solo blocks.

Later that night, Hilbert struggled in the first two sets (25-15, 25-10) before they rallied for the third set win (25-21). Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) regained the fourth and final set (25-14) for their second victory of the season.

WIT dominated at the net, out hitting the Hawks, .368 (63 kills) to .049 (24 kills). Weaver again finished with 14 kills (.267) and Schwab added 5 kills. Ratajczak was credited with 15 digs against the heavy hitters and Heftka finished with 22 assists.

Hilbert returns to action tomorrow in pool play beginning at 10 am.