HIRAM, Ohio – The Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball traveled to Hiram College to face the Terriers in a big non-conference match in Price Gymnasium inside the Coleman Center.
The Yellow Jackets (0-1) and Terriers (1-1) had a very back-and-forth match, as the teams shared 20 total ties and five lead changes. Hiram claimed the victory in straight sets by scores of 25-20, 25-22, and 25-22.
Despite falling in the first set by a 25-20 score, BW found some energy leading early in the second, 6-3. The Terriers then rattled off four-straight points to gain the lead. It was point-for-point as the teams found themselves tied late at 19-19. Hiram earned a few big points to earn the three-point lead, forcing a BW timeout. Each team tallied three to close the second set 25-22.
BW also started the third set hot, earning a 9-4 advantage. Battling their way back, the Terriers tied the game at 12-12. Hiram went on a 9-5 scoring run to go up 21-17 late in the set, forcing the Yellow Jackets to a timeout. BW returned to the court closing the gap to just one (21-22), forcing a Terrier timeout. Earning another point out of the break, the Yellow Jackets caused another Hiram timeout. The Terriers then earned the next three points to clinch the set (25-22) and match (3-0) win.
Leading the Yellow Jackets was sophomore All-MCVL outside hitter Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby) as he posted 11 kills. Beard also added four digs and an assist. Sophomore outside hitter Nick Irelan (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) tallied nine kills and just one error (.348). Irelan added eight digs and two service aces.
Sophomore setter Brandon Long (Hinckley/Metea Valley, Ill.) dished 27 assists while earning six digs and two kills. Freshman libero specialist Andrew Soriano (Aurora, Ill./Benet Academy) finished with 13 digs. Freshman right side hitter Tom Zagrobelny (East Aurora, N.Y.) posted five kills while sophomore middle hitter Don Travis (Reynoldsburg) added three service aces.
The Yellow Jackets return to the court this Friday, January 21 as they travel to Penn State University Altoona for another non-conference match. First serve is set for 8:00 p.m. inside Steven A. Adler Athletic Complex Arena.