HAMBURG, N.Y. – With the excitement of hosting their home opener, the Hilbert College men's volleyball team came ready to play. 

The Hawks slipped in three sets to Penn State Behrend tonight, but for the first time this season, Hilbert closed the game with a positive hitting percentage.

The Lions earned 40 points off 27 kills, 10 service aces and three blocks while Hilbert trailed with 32.5 behind 28 kills, three aces and one block. 

For the first time this season, the Hawks earned more kills than their opponents and finished with a .125 attack percentage.

Michael Podgorny led all players with 12 kills and added four digs and a pair of blocks.

Behrend opened the match with a 25-15 victory which was a close game until the Lions stretched their lead from 12-8 up to 18-11 off back to back service aces and a kill.  The Hawks challenged again in the second set before Behrend pushed through to a 25-17 win. 

Hilbert had the visitors on the ropes the entire third set, staying within three points until the final series of rallies.  Behrend claimed the victory off a kill to the middle of Hilbert's defense for the match, 25-20.

Adam Heftka moved between an attack player and a setter.  He earned five kills and led with 13 assists (two service aces) which Nicholas Rice added 12 assists.

Penn State Behrend courted 15 players and distributed the ball equally which kept the Hawks on their toes at the net defensively.

Hilbert (0-5) returns to the Hafner Center next week for their rematch Buffalo Cup game against D'Youville College.  The NEAC league game begins at 7pm February 8.