ALTOONA, Pa. – The Hilbert College Men's Volleyball team, who returned to action after an 10-day break, recorded an important Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference victory against Penn State Altoona this afternoon.
The Hawks retained their sixth place ranking as they turn the corner with four league games remaining and improved to 4-5 after beating the Lions in four sets.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Penn State Altoona led from start to finish in the first set (25-19). Hilbert was able to maintain a three-point spread through multiple sideouts early. Altoona used a 6-1 run, going from a 9-6 score to a 15-7 lead and rolled to the victory.
- Hilbert responded in the second set, and after trailing 6-8, used a four-point run to pull ahead 10-8. The Lions regained control with a 12-11 advantage but Chris Laboy plastered a kill and the Hawks benefited from three errors by Altoona to go back up 15-12. Hilbert controlled the pace of the set and Austin Chandler lifted the royal and white to a 25-21 win from the service line.
- In a repeat of the second set, Hilbert trailed early, knotted the score at 12-all and pulled ahead 14-12. Altoona called a timeout but never regained their lead. The Hawks were credited with three kills and a block assist as they outlasted the Lions in the 25-22 win.
- Hilbert took control in the fourth set, building a 10-5 margin fueled by three kills. The Hawks then earned their next eight points, seven off kills and one service ace as they stretched their lead (18-11). Dylan Suter, and back-to-back kills by Brad Converse gave Hilbert the match victory – 25-12.
The Hawks earned 59 points, 42 kills, six service aces, 11 blocks, 39 assists and 59 digs while limiting the Lions to 45 points, 34 kills, two aces, nine blocks, 30 assists and 58 digs.
Chris Laboy produced big numbers leading with 14 kills (.345) and 16 digs and three block assists.
Brad Converse shared game-high honors with 14 kills while adding nine digs.
Austin Chandler dished 33 assists , nine digs and two service aces, and
Dylan Suter led with four service aces.
Nick Diello was impressive on defense as he controlled the net with seven block assists and one solo block, and
Luis Garcia was one dig away from double digits.
UP NEXT
Hilbert (7-13) welcomes Wells College to the Hafner Wednesday, March 29th in a 6pm AMCC game.
Fans should stop by early to support and help honor
Ed Brust and
Dylan Suter, two senior men's volleyball players, as they will be celebrated in a pre-game Senior Day ceremony.