WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Wilkes men's volleyball team fell to No. 14 Rutgers-Newark in straight sets Saturday afternoon at the Marts Center. The loss moves the Colonels to 10-11 overall and 0-3 in the Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC), while the Scarlet Raiders improve to 14-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Rutgers-Newark claimed all three sets by scores of 25-15, 25-16, and 25-22.

Both teams traded the opening points in the first set before Rutgers-Newark used an 8-0 run to build a 13-3 advantage. Logan Maha (Sayville, NY/Sayville) recorded two service aces for the Colonels in an effort to close the gap, but the Raiders maintained control and secured the set 25-15.

Set two opened with both teams battling for the lead, but Wilkes was the first to gain momentum behind points from Aiden Amon (Pittstown, NJ/North Hunterdon) and Maha. The Colonels held the early advantage as Aidan Hunter (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) and Amon each recorded kills, but the Raiders responded with a 6-1 run to take a 15-11 lead. Rutgers-Newark continued to build momentum down the stretch, finishing the set with a 25-16 win.

The third set began in favor of the Raiders as they built a 9-5 lead. Rutgers-Newark maintained the advantage through the middle portion of the set, but Wilkes responded with a 5-0 run, highlighted by blocks from Carter Otto (Mountain View, CA/Mountain View) and Maha, to tie the score at 22-22. The rally would not be enough, however, as the Raiders scored the final three points to secure the set 25-22 and complete the sweep.

Hunter led the Colonels' offense with six kills on the night, while Maha recorded a team-high four service aces. James Brust (Clarks Summit, PA/Abington Heights) directed the offense with a team-high 17 assists, and Alex Derk (Perkasie, PA/Pennridge) anchored the back row with seven digs.

For Rutgers-Newark, Michael Suarez led the Raiders with 10 kills and five service aces. Duncan Sturt recorded 26 assists, while Evan Jazmin added seven digs.
The Colonels return to the Marts Center on Wednesday, March 18, as they continue conference action against Drew University with first serve scheduled for 7:00 p.m.