Men’s Volleyball snaps four-game losing streak with sweep of Bethany

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University men's volleyball snapped a four-game losing streak with a 3-0 win over Bethany College inside St. Joseph Athletic & Fitness Center gym Tuesday night.

The Celtics (3-11) defeated the Bison (0-23) 25-18, 25-9 and 25-20, and recorded 10 service aces in the match.

Will Piccolino led Carlow with nine kills, and Caio Matos Machado recorded his first kills as a Celtic in the match. James Stone added 13 assists, Logan Alexander picked up nine digs and Gavin McLain tallied three solo blocks on the night.

The Celtics jumped out to an 8-3 lead in the first set. A kill and an ace allowed the Bison to trail by three before a service error set off a 7-1 run for the Celtics that put Carlow ahead, 15-6.

Bethany cut Carlow's lead to six toward the end of the set before the Celtics strung together four points to extend their lead to 10. The Bison outscored Carlow 5-2 at the end of the set, but a kill from Joshua Lee ended the game 25-18 in favor of the Celtics.

Carlow made quick work of the Bison in the second set, leading 12-3 and prompting a Bethany timeout. Following the break, the Celtics went on a 6-0 run to lead, 18-3, and ended the game 25-9 with an ace from Jaden Michalski.

The Bison continued to battle into the third set. Carlow led 8-3 before Bethany went on a 6-2 run to trail by one. A Carlow service error and a kill allowed Bethany to tie the game at 12-all, as both teams would tie the score thrice more.

A setting error and a Bethany kill gave the Bison their second lead of the set, ahead 18-16 before a kill from Matos Machado set off a 7-1 run to give Carlow a 23-19 advantage.

Bethany picked up a kill to cut Carlow's lead to three, but an attacking error and a kill from Lee ended the set 25-20 and the match in favor of the Celtics.

James Lucht led the Bison with eight kills, six digs and four aces on the night. Alexander Blair added 16 assists in the effort.

The Celtics host Mount Aloysius College tomorrow for a 7 p.m. AMCC match. It is Staff and Faculty Appreciation Night.