Men's Volleyball: Bison win first set in program history

Latrobe, Pa- The men's volleyball team took a day trip to Saint Vincent for a tri-match. The Bearcats split the distance between the Bethany Bison and the Wells College Express, who all competed against one another. The Bison won their first ever set in the tri-meet against Saint Vincent, although they were unable to win a complete match on the day.

THE MATCHUPS

Wells 3, Bethany 0 (25-12, 25-16, 25-20)

Saint Vincent 3, Bethany 1 (25-10, 26-24*, 25-11,25-18)

HOW IT HAPPENED

Bethany opened up their day of competition against Wells. They scored two points off the jump before falling to a 13-3 deficit. The lead was too much to bounce back from and the Bison ended up dropping set one 25-12.

The Bison looked more ready in set two. James Lucht and Tyler Johnson filled their typical roles as the primary scorers for Bethany. They combined for over half of the Bison's kills in set two (7-of-11). Despite being the setter, McKay Ginez chimed in with a few kills and an ace. 

The team's hitting percentage was on the Bison's higher end compared to the rest of the season. They hit .286 in the set. However, Wells was able to outscore the Bison 25-16. 

Bethany continued to play better into the third set. Johnson earned a kill. Lucht swatted an ace. Then Rylan Trapp slammed a kill before serving two straight points to give the Bison a 6-4 lead.

Both teams continued to battle into a 12 all tie before Wells went on a small point run. They were able to score four in a row to put them up 16-12.

A pair of aces from the Bison aided their fight to bring the set within one at 17-16. Coming out of their final timeout, Bethany had a chance after hitting the 20 point mark. 

Wells didn't let the lead get away from them. The Bearcats landed two straight kills to end the third set 25-20.

Bethany came out to play against Saint Vincent. 

After dropping set one, the Bison stayed neck and neck with the Bearcats to begin the second set. They took a slight 6-4 lead.

Saint Vincent scored six straight points to force a Bethany timeout. The timeout iced the server, but the Bearcats scored two more points to make the score 12-7 in their favor.

The Bison never fell too far behind. They found themselves in a situation trailing by five, but had a few points to work with down 20-15. 

The men earned the serve. Gabe Dombroff dropped back to serve a point followed by an ace to make it three straight points for the Bison. The teams then traded points until the scoreboard showed 24-21 within the Bearcats favor.

Head Coach Chuck Shoemaker called a timeout to reset. Then the Bison made a historic run.

The official motioned three consecutive points toward the Bison side of the court. They tied the game at 24 with the Bearcats calling a timeout. 

Lucht served one point; 25-24 Bison.

Lucht served another ball that was lofted right back over the net. Dombroff saw an opportunity, leaped, and finished the job to secure the first ever set victory in Bethany College Men's Volleyball history. 

With their backs against the wall, the Bison scored five straight points to win the set 26-24.

The Bison couldn't recreate the same magic in the two following sets. They ended up losing a 3-1 split against the Bearcats.

TOP BISON PERFORMERS 

Lucht finished the day with 23 total kills. Nine in game one and 14 in game two.

Johnson tied Lucht as the leading scorer in game one with nine kills. He was runner up in game two with six kills. 

Ginez was the leading server with three total aces. He also led game one with 14 assists. 

Ginez tied Leonardo Locatelli for total digs. Each had 18.

Alexander Blair was the primary setter for game two with 24 assists.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The Bison will travel to Carlow on Tuesday, March 19th. The match will begin at 7 PM.