ALTOONA, PA – The Wilkes University men's volleyball team hit the road for only the third time this season to begin a four-match, three-state road trip.  They started Tuesday night against the Penn State Altoona Lions.
 
The Colonels (6-5) struggled in the early sets of the match, and their best effort in the third wasn't enough as they fell 3-0 (15-25, 16-25, 21-25) to the Lions (4-4)
 
Wilkes hung around early in the first set as they sat within striking distance 11-8.  A Lion 10-3 run effectively put the set out of reach, and a 3-0 run by the Lions clinched the 25-15 victory in the set.  The Colonels fared better in the second, sitting down only 19-15 before a 6-1 run put the set squarely in PSU-Altoona's hands.
 
In the third set, Wilkes carved out an 8-5 lead early.  The Lions eventually tied it up at 12 all, and then later 16 all.  A 5-1 run there proved to be the difference maker in the set and match, as the Lions took home the victory 25-21. 
 
The Colonels were held to .027 hitting percentage on the evening.  Freshman setter Zach Shay (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) had 18 assists in the losing effort, while senior middle hitter Cole Hefner (East Greenville, PA/Southern Lehigh) led the team with eight kills.  Sophomore middle hitter Ethan Speicher (Midlothian, VA/Cosby) had three blocks, most among all Colonels.
 
The Colonels enter New Jersey City, N.J. for a tri-match this upcoming Saturday as their three-state road trip continues.  They play Brooklyn College at 1:00 p.m., before playing host New Jersey City at 3:00 p.m.  Wilkes is 1-0 against the former and 0-2 against the latter all-time in men's volleyball.