KEUKA PARK, N.Y. – The Hilbert College men's volleyball team took Keuka College to five sets this afternoon and were close to winning their first match of the season. But the Wolves claimed the 5th set (15-12) as they rallied to beat the Hawks 3-2 in NEAC action.
Michael Podgorny and
David Arlaud set a new career-highs in kills and with their second 5-set match,
Adam Heftka earned his season-high assist mark.
Podgorny finished with an impressive 23 kills (.345), 15 digs, a pair of solo blocks and one service ace (26 of the team's 59 points earned today). Arlaud collected his first double-digit kill match, 12 kills with only five hitting errors.
Tanner Makowski returning to full strength pairing eight digs with his six kills and
Brandon Henry posted his first double-digit dig match with 11.
Caleb Nellis added a pair of service aces.
Hilbert collected 47 kills with their best hitting percentage of the season (.124).
The Hawks jumped ahead 8-3 in the first set before Keuka took the lead 10-9 and extended it to 14-12. The Hawks regained control at 15-14 and built a 4-point lead (22-18) before they claimed the 25-23 win.
David Arlaud's kills pushed the 24th and 25th point on the board.
Early in the second and third sets, Hilbert gained the upper hand. But the Wolves connected with strong passing and hitting to take the middle two 25-18 and 25-17.
Hilbert trailed early in the 4th set but after they knotted the score at 4-4, they sprinted to a 25-19 victory. Podgorny, Arlaud, and Makowski each won points for Hilbert down the stretch at the net.
With
Anthony Pellicano behind the service line, Hilbert took a 2-0 lead.
Kurtis Maloney picked the Hawks up with a service ace and helped them to a 5-2 lead. Makowski's kill forced an 8-8 score before the Wolves stretched their lead to 11-8. Podgorny took two Heftka passes to the floor, but Hilbert was still in the chase mode, trailing 12-10. Podgorny padded one more kill before the hosts earned their victory all on offense with three kills for a 15-12 match victory.
Hilbert has ten days to prepare for their next opponent. The Hawks will travel to North Buffalo for their league and Buffalo Cup match at Medaille College March 15 (7pm).
