CINCINNATI, OH  –  Hilbert College Men's Volleyball battled above the net in both non-league games this morning.  The Hawks lost a pair of three-set matches to Loras College and Mount St. Joseph University.
 
THE BASICS
 
Score:  Loras College (11-0) 25, 25, 25 | Hilbert (4-8) 21, 21, 15
Score:  Mount St. Joseph (4-6) 25, 25, 25 | Hilbert (4-9) 19, 17, 17
 
10 AM - LORAS COLLEGE
 
Hilbert faced an undefeated Duhawks in the early morning game.  Loras controlled the net defensively, earning nine total blocks even though Hilbert finished with four more kills than Loras.
 
Hilbert recorded 29 kills, four service aces and 30 digs while Loras scored their points from kills (25) blocks (2 solo, 14 assisted) and four service aces.
 
 Nikolas D'Andrea finished with six kills, two service aces and one block assist.  Brad Converse led with 10 kills, Austin Chandler added 27 assists, and Michael Pozzuto finished with 12 digs. 

• Hilbert trailed early in the opening match, then took a 7-6 lead and stayed in control until the Duhawks jumped out to a 16-14 spread and benefited from seven Hilbert errors for the 25-21 win.
• The second set played out much the first – lead changes, mini-runs and tight play at the net.  Hilbert found points from two kills and two Loras errors as they built a 20-19 advantage.  The Duhawks ran the last five points at the net for the 25-21 win.
• The Hawks were still competitive in the third set, but never led or knotted the score.  Hilbert trailed 16-13, then gave up four straight points as Loras rolled to the 25-15 win. 

12 PM – MOUNT ST. JOSEPH UNIVERSITY
 
The Hawks faced a second team today who played above the net when they challenged the Lions on their home court.
 
Hilbert recorded 20 kills, three service aces and 19 digs while Mount St. Joseph collected 41 kills, five service aces, and seven blocks.  The Hawks hit the ball better this match (.042) but the Lions reached double figure kills in each of the three sets.
 
Drew O'Neill led the Hawks with seven kills, Connor Higgins added five kills, one service ace and two block assists while Austin Chandler chipped in 17 of the 19 team assists. 

• MSJ stacked seven points together at the start of the opening set and withstood a three-point Hilbert run late.  After Hilbert made it a 17-20 match, the Lions used three consecutive block assists to take the 25-19 win.
• A balanced set early, Hilbert took an 8-7 lead thanks to an O'Neill kill and block assist by Chandler and Mehkai Francis.  MSJ kept tacking points on the board with play at the net en route to the 25-17 win.
• Hilbert manufactured a 4-1 lead but then had to battle to stay within two points. The Lions put three points together which ultimately started the run to the 25-17 finish.

UP NEXT

Hilbert has a week off from competition which will give some injured players time to heal.  The Hawks will host Saint Vincent College Sunday, February 25th with a 2pm first-serve in the Hafner Recreation Center.