ALLIANCE, OH – The Buffalo State men's volleyball team completed a weekend sweep, taking down the #10 Baldwin Wallace University Yellow Jackets in four sets, 3-1, before closing out the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders in four sets, 3-1, in the Mount Union Tri-Match.

GAME ONE BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 3, #10 Baldwin Wallace – 1
SET SCORES: (25-22, 12-25, 28-26, 25-17)
LOCATION: McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex – Alliance, OH
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 15-2 (3-0 AMCC), Baldwin Wallace: 12-3 (1-0 MCVL)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Gavin Wilczewski (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) continued his strong weekend performance, leading the Bengals with 12 kills. Kaden Strong (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca East) and Brady Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) each finished with ten kills in support.
• Drew Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) played his part, dishing out 41 assists to lead all players in this matchup.
• Defensively, Xzavier Vanderstouw (Baldwinsville, NY/CW Baker) and Wilczewski picked up nine digs each to lead the Bengals. At the net, Strong added two total blocks.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Sweeping the Thiel tri-match last night, the Bengals returned to action as they participated in the Mount Union tri-match, with their first matchup against #10 Baldwin Wallace University Yellow Jackets.
• The first set would see the Bengals showing no signs of fatigue, jumping out quickly on the Yellow Jackets following a four-point run. A wave of point trading would ensue throughout the set, with the Yellow Jackets gaining some ground on the Bengals with a three-point rally. However, the Bengals would keep playing in their favor, responding with a three-point run of their own before closing out the Yellow Jackets to take the first set.
• While the Bengals took control of the first set, the story wouldn't be the same for the second…as the Yellow Jackets dominated from the jump, storming out with a seven-point run, before a five-point run late to win the second set.
• The Bengals took the set, lost well, and regained the form they had in the first set as play progressed in the third. After trading multi-point rallies, these two sides would find themselves locked at 17-17, with neither side giving an edge. Exchanging three-point runs, the Bengals would stay firm in their position, holding on strong to pick up back-to-back points and claim the third set over the Yellow Jackets.
• In the last set of action, the Bengals responded strongly to a four-point run by the Yellow Jackets with a five-point rally of their own, taking control of this matchup. This swing of momentum would lead to back-to-back four-point runs by the Bengals, as they shut down the Yellow Jackets' attack and upset the #10 team on the road in four sets.

FOR THE FOES

• Tyler Schunk led the Yellow Jackets with 16 kills, while Ethan Gundrum picked up 40 assists.
• Defensively, Daniel Latham led with eight digs, while Schunk made three blocks at the net.

GAME TWO BASICS

FINAL SCORE: Buffalo State – 3, Mount Union – 1
SET SCORES: (25-19, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20)
LOCATION: McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex – Alliance, OH
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 16-2 (3-0 AMCC), Mount Union: 6-11 (0-1 MCVL)

INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE

• Wilczewski closed out a stellar weekend, leading the Bengals with 12 kills.
• D. Bowman continued his hot hand as facilitator, finishing with 36 assists to lead all players.
• On the defensive end, Vanderstouw led the Bengals with 15 digs, while Kieran Eagan (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca West) added eight total blocks at the net.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After taking down the #10 Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets in their previous outing, the Bengals looked to finish strong as they battled host, Mount Union Purple Raiders, to close their weekend tri-matches.
• In the first set, the Bengals would trade points with the Purple Raiders before getting hot behind a three-point run to take the lead in this matchup. The Purple Raiders would respond with a four-point rally, taking the lead in this one, but a five-point rally from the Bengals was the response needed, closing out the Purple Raiders and claiming the first-set win.
• In the second set, the Bengals would have to battle from behind, as the Purple Raiders would go on back-to-back rallies to gain the upper hand in this set. A four-point rally by the Bengals would keep them afloat as play continued before shutting down the Purple Raiders behind a five-point run to win the set and put the Purple Raiders in sweep territory.
• As the Bengals looked to close out their sixth consecutive win, the Purple Raiders fought hard with their backs against the wall. After trading points much of the set, the Purple Raiders would gain the upper hand with a three-point rally, putting the Bengals in danger. As the Bengals fought back, getting to within one point of the Purple Raiders, it wouldn't be enough, as a back-to-back error from the Bengals would give the Purple Raiders the set win.
• In the fourth set, the Bengals sought to wrap this one up, as they proved the better team throughout much of the matchup. After winning the 'race to ten', the Bengals would use a three-point run and a five-point run to put the Purple Raiders on the doorstep of defeat. While the Purple Raiders would respond with a three-point rally to bring this matchup closer, the Bengals would hold on strong, closing out this matchup on a three-point run, defeating the Purple Raiders, sweeping the night and the weekend, and winning their sixth consecutive game of the season.

FOR THE FOES

• Michael Bowler led the Purple Raiders with 14 kills, with Drew Stein dishing out 23 assists.
• Defensively, Peyton Koszelak led the Purple Raiders with 15 digs, while Justin Dickson tallied four total blocks at the net.

UP NEXT
The Bengals will return home to the Sports Arena, as they begin a stretch of AMCC play, hosting the Hilbert College Hawks on Wednesday, February 25th at 7:00 PM.