AMCC CHAMPIONSHIPS SEMIFINALS – #4 PENN STATE ALTOONA LIONS VS. #1 BUFFALO STATE BENGALS
Wednesday, April 8, 2026 – 7:00 PM
Sports Arena – Buffalo, NY
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LAST TIME OUT… In their final matchup of the season, the Bengals swept the Mount Aloysius College Mounties and the Nazareth University Golden Flyers in the 'Bengal Invite.'
Kieran Eagen (Buffalo, NY/West Seneca West) led the Bengals in their first game with nine kills.
Kaden Strong (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) and
Kellen Palmer (Buffalo, NY/Canisius High School) supported with eight kills each. In game two against Nazareth,
Gavin Wilczewski (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) led with ten kills.
Brady Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) and Eagen both finished this game with eight kills.
In the two contests,
Drew Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) racked up 64 total assists to keep the engine running for the Bengals' offense.
On defense,
Xzavier Vanderstouw (Baldwinsville, NY/CW Baker) had 13 digs combined in the two games, and B. Bowman tallied five blocks in the two games.
In game one against the Mounties, the Bengals rebounded after dropping the first set and opened the second with a six-point run. A four-point rally midway pushed them ahead to win the set. The Bengals took the third set, then controlled the fourth with two quick scoring runs, securing a four-set victory, an undefeated AMCC season, and their 18th straight win.
In game two, both teams traded points early until the Bengals pulled ahead with a five-point rally. They kept up the momentum to win the first set, then took a second set to put the Golden Flyers in sweep territory. The Golden Flyers started strong in the third, but another Bengals rally secured the sweep with a three-set victory.
HOW WE GOT HERE… Entering the AMCC Championships Tournament, the Buffalo State Bengals men's volleyball team enters this matchup with a 26-4 overall record, while finishing 12-0 in AMCC action. The Bengals clinched the top seed in the AMCC Championships Tournament for the second consecutive year.
The Bengals are on the verge of making their second AMCC Championship game appearance, eagerly eyeing the incredible feat of capturing the tournament title in consecutive seasons.
LAST TIME WE MET… In their last matchup of the season, the Bengals fought off a hard-fought effort from the Penn State Altoona Lions, winning the match 3-2.
Gavin Wilczewski (East Aurora, NY/East Aurora) led the Bengals with 12 kills, while
Kaden Strong (West Seneca, NY/West Seneca East) backed him up with eight kills.
Drew Bowman (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) was the Bengals' primary setter, recording a match-high 40 assists against Penn State Altoona.
On defense versus Penn State Altoona, D. Bowman and Wilczewski led the Bengals with nine digs apiece, while Strong contributed five blocks at the net.
In the first set, the Bengals battled back from an early Lions lead. They mounted a five-point rally to take control. After a stretch of point trading, the Bengals used a three-point rally to keep their advantage, then closed out the set. The second set followed the same pattern. An early Lions lead put them ahead, but the Bengals fought back, using the Lions' mistakes. After more point trading, the Bengals regained control with a four-point run, then took the set with back-to-back points, putting the Lions in sweep territory.
With momentum, the Bengals aimed to close out the match in three sets. The Lions wouldn't go down without a fight and scored several points due to the Bengals' mistakes. The Lions maintained control and stole the third set. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals tried to end the match, but the Lions used their momentum. A four-point Lions run gave them an early edge. The Bengals tried to make up points, but the Lions pushed through, took the fourth with a three-point run, and forced a fifth set.
In the fifth and final set, the Bengals responded with a seven-point rally to take control. They won the 'race to eight' over the Lions. With momentum shifted, the Lions' effort fell short. The Bengals closed out the set, clinching the top seed in the AMCC playoffs.
Lukas Weathersbee led the Lions with 12 kills; Shawn Thomas had 12 assists.
Adam Chan led the Lions on defense with 12 digs, as Caleb Fries finished with five total blocks at the net.
THE BENGAL BREAKDOWN… At 26-4 (12-0 AMCC), the Bengals enter the AMCC Championship Tournament in their best form to date. Finishing with their best season in program history, the Bengals 12-0 mark in AMCC action, plus their 6-0 mark from last season, gives them an 18-game streak of undefeated AMCC play. Ranked as high as 16th in the AVCA DIII Men's Volleyball polls, the Bengals are seeking back-to-back AMCC Championships and a return to the NCAA DIII Men's Volleyball Tournament.
As a team, the Bengals made the most of their opportunities in AMCC action, leading the conference in kills (1,282), assists (1,181), digs (1,021), and total points (1673.5). Additionally, the Bengals ranked second in kills per set (11.15), attack percentage (.257), and total blocks (62), further highlighting their strong overall performance.
YOU GET AN ASSIST, YOU GET AN ASSIST, EVERYONE GETS AN ASSIST… Coming off a stellar freshman season in which he was named All-AMCC Second Team,
Drew Bowman has kept the Bengals' offensive engine humming with his playmaking. Leading the conference with 8.22 assists per set, Bowman has racked up 888 assists this season, leading the team and setting a new career high.
TWO MAN SHOW… Bowman's playmaking abilities have to benefit someone…or someone's, as
Gavin Wilczewski and
Kaden Strong have been a two-man wrecking crew against opposing defenses. Wilczewski leads the Bengals with 312 kills (3.18 kills per set), while Strong sits at 222 kills (2.09 kills per set), with Wilczewski setting a new career high while Strong is one kill shy of matching his last season total. In the AMCC, Wilczewski sits second in kills per set and total kills, while Strong leads the conference in hitting percentage with a .422.
This electrifying two-headed monster of the Bengals attack is charging ahead, aiming to ride their red-hot momentum and thrust the Bengals into a thrilling second straight AMCC Championship game and a victory.
A LOOK AT PENN STATE ALTOONA… The Penn State Altoona Lions enter this matchup with a 9-16 overall record, finishing 7-5 in AMCC play. Entering the AMCC Championship Tournament as the four-seed, the Lions will be making their third-straight appearance in the tournament.
Leading the offensive attack for the Lions is Caleb Fries, who leads the team with 270 kills (3.03 kills per set). Fries' 270 total kills put him third in the AMCC, while his 3.03 kills per set put him fourth in the AMCC. Axel Jimenez plays the prime playmaker for the Lions, leading the team with 338 assists (4.63 assists per set).
On defense this season, Adam Chan leads the Lions with 218 total digs (2.45 per set), while Fries leads with 44 total blocks.
The Lions will be looking to make their first appearance in the AMCC Championship game in program history.
SCHEDULES/RESULTS…
#1 BUFFALO STATE BENGALS: 26-4 (12-0 AMCC)
#4 PENN STATE ALTOONA LIONS: 9-16 (7-5 AMCC)
