ALTOONA, Pa. – Posting more points and playing in two extended sets, the Hilbert College men's volleyball team slipped in four sets to Penn State Altoona in their final match of the NEAC cross-over games played at Altoona this weekend.

Hilbert dropped a 25-17 opening set before they rallied big time the final three sets.  Altoona escaped with 30-28 (2nd set) and 28-26 (4th set) wins while Hilbert earned a 25-20 third set victory. 

Hilbert had several chances but their 18 service errors reduced their chances for a match victory.

Altoona controlled the pace of the opening game.  Their largest lead of 10 points (20-10) resulted in a Lion 16-6 run.  Hilbert was able to cut into the lead but fell 25-17.
The second set started like the first with Altoona jumping to an early lead.  With a 16-11 score, Altoona was whistled for multiply errors and gave Hilbert a chance for a comeback setting the score at 16-16.  Korey Schwab and Andrew Wolbert's kills knotted then gave Hilbert their first lead 24-23.  Adam Heftka, Andrew Duncan and Korey Schwab each were credited with kills in the final rally but a Hilbert service error prevented the win-by-two final score.  Ultimately Altoona took a long-set 30-28.

Hilbert took control in the third set and never trailed.  They took a two-point lead to a six point separation (18-12) and held on for their 25-20 win.  Hilbert finished that set with their best attack percentage (.318) with 10 kills.

In the final set, Hilbert looked in control again early.  They built a 12-6 advantage due to three Hilbert kills and a Schwab service ace.   Altoona went on a seven-point swing,  thanks in part to three Hilbert hitting errors and an ace and three kills of their own.  After Schwab's kill forced a 17-17 tie, both teams played through seven more even scores, last tied at 26-26.  Altoona claimed the match victory with back-to-back kills.

Andrew Duncan's .429 attack percentage (12 kills) led the Hawks with finished the match hitting .136.  Duncan's two assisted blocks move him into a tie on Hilbert's All Time list of block assists.

Korey Schwab led with 13 kills and added 7 digs.  Ryan Ratajczak posted another 16 dig performance and added five assists.

Adam Heftka assisted 33 times, finished with four kills and chipped in four digs. 

Brett Kane (7 kills) and Andrew Wolbert (six kills) also added block assists.

Hilbert (1-17, 1-6 NEAC) return to league play next weekend when they travel to Utica for a match Saturday against Wells College (2p) and against the hosts SUNY Poly on Sunday at 12p.