BUFFALO, N.Y. – Hilbert College took control early in first two sets tonight, but Medaille College battled from behind and earned a 3-0 win in men's volleyball. 

THE BASICS

• Final Scores  Medaille 27, 25, 25   |   Hilbert 25, 21, 21
• Location:  Sullivan Center | Buffalo, NY
• Records:   Mavericks  7-14, 4-7 AMCC  |  Hawks 2-19, 1-11 AMCC

GAME NOTES

• Brad Converse led Hilbert with nine kills and 12 digs for 9 points.   Five of Converse's kills were delivered in the first set. 
• Ryan Levcik added four kills, four service aces and three block assists for 9.5 points.  Austin Chandler was credited with all 14 assists, two kills and 10 digs while Dylan Suter and Marcus Wloch each picked up one solo block.
• The Hawks were credited with 33 points off 20 kills (.027), seven service aces, 43 digs and six blocks while the Mavericks earned 54 points off 42 kills (.174), five  service aces, 64 digs and seven blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Hilbert jumped out to a 7-2 lead early in the opening set.  The Hawks earned three service aces (two by Levcik) and a kill as they generated the five point margin.  Medaille chipped into difference but the Hawks held on through an 11-11 score.  Medaille took their first lead 12-11 which set up the back and forth sway on the score board; both teams battled through 11 knotted scores all the way up to a 25-25 tilt.  Medaille earned the victory off a kill preceded by a Hilbert service error for the 27-25 victory.
• The Hawks opened the second set with purpose.  They built a 7-1 lead thanks to a few service aces, kills and an exciting block at the net which forced a Medaille timeout.  The Hawks extended their lead to eight points (13-5) before Medaille rallied with a nine-point swing going ahead for the first time in the set (14-13).  Both teams traded points as Hilbert jumped ahead each time until the Mavs broke the 18-all score with three unanswered points reaching a three point advantage.  Levcik's kill pulled Hilbert within two, but Medaille was awarded their 25-21 win in set two.
• Medaille, for the first time in the match, took an early lead in set three.  They went on a 10-1 run establishing a 10-2 lead.  The Hawks were awarded three consecutive points but still trailed 15-5 which led to a Hilbert timeout.  The Hawks sliced the difference to seven points (17-10) and then benefited from five consecutive Medaille attacking errors to pull within four points (21-17) late in the game.  Nick Diello earned back-to-back service aces after he and Levcik were credited with a block assist to give Hilbert hope as they trailed 22-20. Medaille closed the game with a pair of kills for the 25-21 set and match victory.

UP NEXT

Hilbert returns to action tomorrow when they travel to Aurora, New York for a recently added non-conference match at Wells College.  The game time has been adjusted to 7:00 pm first-serve in the Farenthold Athletic Wing.