Hoboken NJ, (March 26, 2022)- Alvernia University (12-10, 6-5) matched up against Wilkes University (9-19, 0-9) and Stevens Tech (22-3, 10-0) in two MAC men's volleyball matchups Saturday afternoon at Stevens.
 
The Golden Wolves kicked off their first contest against Stevens. The match opened back and forth, with both teams struggling to gain momentum early on. Shane McNicholas and Brian Rea were able to keep the contest close early, recording key kills and making it a 10-9 game in favor of Stevens.
 
The Ducks started to pull ahead midway through the set, using a 5-1 run to claim a 15-10 lead over the Golden Wolves. Stevens continued to test Alvernia, expanding on its lead and having a firm 22-14 lead late in the opening stanza. Despite kills from Tyler Anderson and Rea, the Ducks ended the first set over the Golden Wolves, 25-16.
 
The second stanza saw the Ducks jump out to an 11-7 lead midway through the set. Despite the deficit, the Golden Wolves kept fighting as Anderson and Caleb Whitehead each recorded a kill to help trim the deficit.
 
Stevens kept pushing Alvernia as the stanza progressed, going on a 4-0 run and taking a 19-12 lead. Alvernia found a way to respond, as Nick Cummins helped guide a 6-2 run. The Golden Wolves kept fighting late into the set, but despite late kills from Anderson and Whitehead, Alvernia lost the second set 25-22.
 
The third set was close early on, with the Golden Wolves and Ducks tied 7-7 in the stanza. Stevens' offense proved to be too much, as a 13-5 run guided the Ducks ahead of the Golden Wolves. Stevens ended the set on top of Alvernia 25-16, claiming the contest 3-0.
 
Anderson led the Golden Wolves in the contest with eight kills, while Cummins tallied seven kills.
 
The second contest of the day had Alvernia matching up against Wilkes. The Golden Wolves wasted no time in the first set, with Anderson and Cummins leading the way on an 8-2 run over the Colonels. Alvernia continued to press Wilkes in the set as Whitehead and Cummins led the way for the Golden Wolves. Strong play from Ian Rauh sealed the first set, as the Golden Wolves ended the stanza on top of the Colonels, 25-17.
 
Both teams struggled to gain momentum in the second set, with Alvernia and Wilkes tied 6-6 early. The Colonels were able to grow their lead to two before Cummins and Whitehead led the charge on a 4-0 run to take a two-point lead.
 
As the second stanza progressed, the Colonels found their way back in front, holding onto a 19-16 lead. Wilkes continued to fight its way ahead, ending the second set on top of Alvernia 25-22.
 
The Golden Wolves didn't stay down for long, as Anderson guided a 3-0 run to kick off the stanza. The Colonels responded in kind, and both teams were knotted firmly 8-8 in the third set.
 
Anderson continued to lead Alvernia, securing key kills in a 10-6 run over the Colonels. Despite the run, Wilkes fought its way back, making it a 21-20 game late in the stanza. The Golden Wolves showed resiliency under the Colonel's pressure, however, as Anderson and Whitehead sparked a 5-0 Alvernia run which was capped off by a service ace from Cummins. The Golden Wolves claimed the third set, 25-21.
 
Alvernia's offense picked up where it left off to start the fourth set, recording a 5-2 run early. The Colonels brought the contest even midway through the stanza, making it 8-8. However, Cummins and Anderson continued to dominate as the Golden Wolves shot out ahead, using a 5-1 run to take control.
 
As the fourth set progressed, Wilkes battled to get back in front. Despite the effort, the Golden Wolves kept the Colonels at bay, with McNicholas and Whitehead capping off the day for Alvernia. The Golden Wolves ended the fourth set on top of the Colonels 25-18 and claimed the contest 3-1.
 
Anderson led the Golden Wolves with 17 kills and two block assists. Cummins tallied nine kills and five service aces in the matchup, while Whitehead recorded nine kills and two block assists.
 
Alvernia returns to action on Wednesday, hosting Eastern University.