Elizabethtown College men’s volleyball had a highly competitive set of matchups this past weekend, facing off against #2 ranked Southern Virginia University and #16 Misericordia University at home. The Blue Jays hoped to extend their three-match winning streak and continue their strong start, as they entered the weekend 13-5 overall.
In the first match of the doubleheader, Etown faced off against their Continental Volleyball Divisional opponent, Southern Virginia. The Knights came into the game undefeated overall, sporting a record of 18-0, including key wins against #5 Juniata College and #12 Loras College, both with a score of 3-0. Southern Virginia hit the ground running to begin the match, breaking out into an early 6-2 lead. Etown fought back, pulling the lead back into their hands with five straight points, led by kills from junior outside hitter Logan Smith and first-year outside hitter Braydon Ambruster. The Knights weren’t done yet, putting together another solid rally, reaching a five-point lead, winning six of the following seven points. Etown did their best to claw back from the deficit, however, Southern Virginia pulled away, taking the first set with a score of 25-16.
In the second set, Etown kept the beginning close, with the set tied after the first 14 points. The Knights pulled together another rally, adding six of the next eight points and breaking out to a big lead. The Blue Jays fought to keep the set close, with the lead being within four nearing the end of the set after two key kills by both Smith and Ambruster. Southern Virginia was one point away from securing the set, however, Etown began to rally, putting together three points off of two kills by Ambruster. The Blue Jay’s efforts were cut short, as the Knights won their second set with a score of 25-20.
Etown took control of the third set early, leading the undefeated Knights side for the majority of the set and holding a lead as large as three points. Southern Virginia proved why they are undefeated, pulling the lead within reach and leading the game right at the end of the set with a score of 23-21. Etown didn’t give up, tying the set at 25 all to force the set into extras. The Knights prevailed in the end and won the match with a 3-0 victory over the Blue Jays. Ambruster led Etown with 14 kills, along with three blocks and an ace to add on. First-year outside hitter Arun Gopinath followed behind with six kills and Smith added five kills of his own.
Etown got their chance at redemption in the second match against Misericordia, who were coming off a loss to Southern Virginia in a 3-0 sweep for their first match of the tri-match. Etown and the Cougars battled back and forth early in the first set, splitting points back and forth, until Misericordia jumped out on a huge rally, putting together ten of the next 11 points. The Blue Jays attempted to rally back from the nine-point deficit, however, the Cougars held on, winning the first set 25-18. The second set was extremely close compared to the first, as Misericordia held on to a three-point lead heading into the back half of the set. Through a few short rallies, the Cougars took hold of a five-point lead, needing only two points to secure the set. Etown did their best to pull off a comeback, but Misericordia took the second set with a score of 25-20.
The third set was a battle, as the Blue Jays and the Cougars fought to take a lead throughout the entirety of the set, with the largest lead of the set being three points, held by Etown. With the set tied at 24 all, the set was going to extras. Etown took an initial lead at 26-25, but Misericordia flipped the score and took a lead at 27-26. The Blue Jays battled back, taking their first set of the game with a score of 30-28. In the fourth set, Misericordia strung together a solid few rallies, putting the pressure on Etown heading into the back half of the set. Down nine, Etown attempted to make a comeback while on the brink of defeat, however, it wasn’t enough as the Cougars took down the Blue Jays 3-1. Ambruster led Etown with a career-high 23 kills and 18 assists, putting together his first collegiate double-double. First-year setter Patrick Neyer put up a career-high 29 assists in the loss. Etown will play their next home volleyball match against Widener University on Monday, March 24, and fellow CVC opponent Juniata College on Wednesday, March 26.
