WILKES-BARRE – The Wilkes University men's volleyball team opened the 2021 season by dropping a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) match against visiting Alvernia University at the Marts Center Wednesday night by a 3-0 score. Set scores were (25-20, 25-11, 25-18).

Sophomore outside hitter Zach Evans (Nescopeck, PA/Berwick) and first-year outside hitter Noah Taylor (Lumbertown, NJ/Rancocas Valley Regional) led Wilkes (0-1) with six kills. Sophomore setter Zach Shay (Bethlehem, PA/Freedom) recorded a match-high 21 assists and led the Colonels with six digs. First-year middle hitter Paul Binner (Tunkhannock, PA/Tunkhannock) recorded two blocks.

The two teams traded points to open the first set until a three-point run by Alvernia (1-0) put the Golden Wolves ahead 12-7. Following a kill and a block on back-to-back points by Evans the Colonels cut the lead to 18-15 but Alvernia extended the lead back to five points. Consecutive kills by Taylor and junior opposite Everett Fritz (Ringtown, PA/Hazleton Area) again cut the deficit to three points at 21-18. The Golden Wolves would then score four of the next six points to win the opening set 25-20.

Wilkes led 6-5 early in set two but Alvernia used a 10-point run in the middle of the set to open a 22-10 lead on its way to the 25-11 victory.

The Golden Wolves wasted little time taking control of the third set, jumping ahead 15-5. Wilkes used a six-point run to cut the score to 21-14 with two kills by Taylor, one by junior middle hitter Ethan Speicher (Midlothian, VA/Cosby), and two service aces by Evans. The comeback effort was not enough as the Colonels would eventually fall 25-18 in the third as Alvernia completed the sweep.

Josh Stewart led Alvernia with nine kills while Victor De Avila added eight. Brian Rae had five blocks and Jonny Ortega registered eight digs. Mike Monczewski and Ethyn Burczyk directed the Golden Wolves offense with 19 and 11 assists respectively.

Next up for the Colonels is a rematch with the Golden Wolves on Wednesday, March 3 at 7:00 p.m. in Reading Pa.