BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Hilbert College Men's Volleyball team suffered a 3-0 loss (25-22, 25-21, 26-24) at Geneva College in the opening match of a tri match in Methany Field House.
The Hawks fell to 4-5 in the league standings and dropped out of the AMCC postseason tournament.
They then slipped in three to Chatham University (25-15, 25-16, 25-20) and conclude their 2024 season at 8-16 overall.
Senior
Austin Chandler established a new single season record with 8.04 assists per set while graduating ranked No. 2 in the program with 1,552 total assists and 6.99 assists per set.
Alex Overhoff, after two seasons as a Hawk, ranks 5th in program history with 2.23 kills per set, and 1.99 digs per set. Christ Smith recorded 47 kills and 44 digs in his three-year career.
AMCC Game 1 - Geneva
Brad Converse (two aces) and
Nikolas D'Andrea (.348) recorded nine kills and 10 digs each.
Austin Chandler added 26 assists,
Michael Pozzuto had a team-high 13 digs, and four different Hawks earned a solo block against Geneva.
- Hilbert finished the first set with one more kill than the Golden Tornados but committed six additional attack errors contributing to Geneva's three-point victory. The Hawks battled through two lead changes early and led on the scoreboard through an 18-16 advantage. The hosts made a five-point run which created a large enough margin for the win.
- The second set was a repeat of the first, in terms of back and for play. Each team earned 11 kills, though the Hawks finished with a .088 attack percentage while giving Geneva six points from the service line. After taking the 3-2 early lead, the Hawks found themselves trailing by four points most of the set. Geneva stacked five points together, building a 7-4 margin and maintained a four-point spread until Converse and Overhoff paired back-to-back kills pulling within one point (11-12). Geneva regrouped, earned points at the end of long rallies to take the 25-21 victory.
- The third set was equally entertaining as the first two. The final rally, which set the 26-24 score in favor of Geneva, pinged back and forth on both sides of the net at least eight times before the final point was won. Each team recorded 13 kills, Hilbert finished with three blocks and one service ace. With each team creating a knotted score four times early, the Hawks tied it up again at 7-7 with three consecutive points. After trailing by four points twice, Hilbert manufactured several mini-runs and forced a 24-24 tilt before concluding their AMCC schedule at Geneva.
Non-conference Game 2 - Chatham
All 12 Hawks saw action in the night cap as coach Crosby gave everyone plenty of swings and touches today.
Alex Overhoff (7) and
Tyler Hassell (6) led on offense while
Austin Chandler assisted on 17 of the team's 27 kills.
Joe Grisanti was credited with seven assists over two sets played.
Mehkai Francis and
Brennon Rettig each posted a solo block and
Drew O'Neill paired with Overhoff for a block assist.
Noah Hart and Chandler were both credited with a team-best six digs.
- Chatham used a five-point run to pull away in the opening set (23-13) as they rolled to a win.
- The Hawks trailing 16-5 in the second set stacked three points together late in the set, before falling 25-16.
- Hilbert built a 5-1 lead in the third set, maintained the lead through 15-14 score, and stayed within striking distance (20-22) prior to the Cougars ripping three straight points for the win.
Up Next:
Hilbert (4-5) finished in 7th place in the league as the top 6 teams advance to the AMCC postseason tournament which begins Tuesday, April 9th. St. Vincent College earned the No. 1 seed with Hiram and Thiel rounding out the top three spots. Penn State Behrend, Penn State Altoona and Geneva all finished with an identical 5-4 league record and claim the final three spots.
