WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University Colonels did not have to travel far for a Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom showdown with King's Wednesday night.
 
The Colonels (11-12, 2-3 MACF) hung around in the first two sets before King's (17-3, 5-0 MACF) took complete control in the third set to shut out the Colonels.  Wilkes fell in a 20-25, 23-25, 14-25 affair to drop their fourth straight match.
 
The Monarchs took command early in the first set, starting with a 9-2 run.  The Colonels struggled to make much headway into the early lead, only cutting into the King's lead by two before the Monarchs took the first set 25-20.   The crosstown rivals had a back and forth affair for most of the second set, as both sat at 17 points apiece.  A small 4-1 run was enough for the Monarchs to take control of the set, slipping by 25-23 in the second. 
 
The Colonels hung around for the start of the third set at 9-9, before the Monarchs took total command of the match with a 14-3 run to completely crush any Colonels hope of taking a set on the evening.
 
Senior Jamey Mikovich (Nesquehoning, PA/Panther Valley) still put together a strong performance on the evening, coming home with 18 kills in the contest as well as four blocks and two service aces.  Sophomore setter Karlye Huffman (Sugar Run, PA/Wyalusing) contributed 34 assists and also led the squad with nine digs on the evening.  Junior outside hitter Christie Challenger (Schuylkill Haven, PA/Blue Mountain) contributed three blocks to the team effort as well.
 
The Colonels look to bounce back with a tri-match in Jersey City, N.J. starting at 11:00 a.m. Saturday.  They play host New Jersey City before playing Baruch in the afternoon tilt at 1:00 a.m.  The Colonels are 3-0 against the host New Jersey City, while this is the first time they have met Baruch in the live stats era.