Wilkes, Pa. (Feb. 24, 2021) - After 350 days without competition, Alvernia Athletics resumed competition with Men's Volleyball heading to Wilkes University to start their 2021 season. The Golden Wolves opened their season with a win, taking down the Colonels in straight sets. 

The Golden Wolves started off the first set with a service error, and Alvernia and Wilkes played it close through 5-5. Alvernia then took advantage of three straight errors by Wilkes to pull ahead to an 8-5 lead. 

The Golden Wolves then extended their lead to 12-7 following two straight kills by Josh Stewart.

Wilkes then brought the first set within three, 19-16, following a service error, but Alvernia was able to close out the set 25-19.

Like the first set, Wilkes played Alvernia close early in the second set with the Golden Wolves holding just a 12-10 lead to get the set underway. But, a kill by Tyler Anderson set off a 10-0 run for Alvernia to put the Golden Wolves up 22-10. Alvernia would allow just one more point in the second set to take it 25-11, and go up 2-0 on the match.

The Golden Wolves wasted no time in the third set, leading the Colonels 8-4 early on. Alvernia then scored seven straight, including three points off three straight service aces by Brian Rea, to jump out to a 15-5 lead. Alvernia extended its lead to 21-8 before Wilkes went on a run of its own to bring the third set to 21-14. The Colonels and Golden Wolves traded points the rest of the way before a kill by Stewart sealed the third set 25-18, and the match at 3-0.

Alvernia was led by Stewart, who finished the night with nine kills, and Victor de Avila, who finished with eight kills. Rea finished the night with five blocks and three service aces, and Mike Monczewski ended the night with 19 assists.

The Golden Wolves return to action on Saturday with two matches against Misericordia at Alvernia's Jack McCloskey Court. They then host Wilkes on Wednesday, March 3rd to close out their series with the Colonels.