BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's volleyball team opened their inaugural season in the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) with a neutral-site match at Medaille College tonight. 

The Hawks battled Wells College in a rematch from one week ago and fell to the Express in four sets.

Korey Schwab posted 15 of Hilbert's 34 team kills as the Hawks suffered a 3-1 loss to Wells for the second time this season. 

Well's John Farruggia was credited with 19 kills (.349) and Brannon Perdicho (13 kills) were the only other players on the court to reach double figure kills.

David Mellerski reached for eight kills and finished with 11 digs for Hilbert.  Adam Heftka had 25 of Hilbert's 31 assists and Ryan Ratajczak picked up the Hawks with 16 digs.

Brett Kane scored 5 kills and doubled that with 10 digs.

Andrew Duncan led Hilbert at the net defensively with one solo and three assisted blocks.

Wells proved too tough defensively at the net.  The Express were credited with seven solo blocks and 22 block assists which equated to 14 total blocks.  Hilbert combined for 6 total blocks and finished with a .023 attack percentage.

Wells fell behind 1-0 in the first set, but then rushed to a 4-1 advantage before Hilbert knotted it at 4-all.  From that point, both teams traded points, Hilbert always trailing. 

The Hawks jumped ahead 9-8 via a four-point rally, but after that, Wells regained and held the lead till the end, winning 25-20.

In the second set, one which the Hawks fell 25-19, Wells never trailed and held their largest lead of eight points (23-15) after they went on a seven-point run.

David Mellerski got the Hawks their first point and lead in the third set.   Hilbert built a 4-1 lead and extended it to 6-4 before the Express forced the set's first tie at 7-7.    Both teams traded points until Wells grabbed three straight markers (13-11).  Hilbert matched the score again at 13's and both side of the court flipped-flopped back and forth continuing the tightly played set. 

The Hawks battled back from a 22-20 deficit to take a 24-22 lead (Brett Kane Kill, Adam Heftka service ace, two hitting errors by Wells).  Thanks to a service error by their opponent, Hilbert won 25-23.

Three kills by Wells helped the Express take a 3-0 fourth-set opening.  Hilbert was able to cut the lead to one point (5-4) but that was as close as the Hawks were able to get.  Slowly the match got away from Hilbert and they fell 25-16.

The NEAC cross-over weekend matches in Buffalo continue Saturday, February 14.  Hilbert squares off against SUNY Poly Tech (formally SUNYIT) at 12 noon.  The game will be live streamed with video and statistics for those who cannot travel to Western New York.