By: Athletic Communications Student Assistant Joe Meyer '24
HUNTINGDON, Pa. - The Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball team's record-breaking season came to a close with a straight-sets loss to No. 3 nationally ranked Juniata (Pa.) College in the Opening Round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Yellow Jackets fell to the regional hosts by set scores of 25-16, 25-21, and 25-18 in the Memorial Gymnasium inside the Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center.
BW (26-8) was led by junior All-MCVL outside hitter Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby), as he registered a match-high twelve kills on a .409 hitting percentage. Junior All-MCVL setter Brandon Long (Hinckley/Metea Valley, Ill.) added 24 assists and two aces. The match marked the Yellow Jackets first appearance in the NCAA DIII Tournament in just the program's third season of varsity competition.
Juniata (30-2) was led by senior outside hitter Max Cooley and junior outside hitter Tyler Goldsborough, as they recorded seven and eight kills, respectively. Junior setter Reese Ganter added 24 assists for the Eagles.
FIRST SET
- The teams traded points out of the gates, but Juniata took an early 10-7 lead.
- An 11-3 run by the Eagles put the set away, as Juniata took the first set, 25-16.
SECOND SET
- After BW fell behind 21-12, Long embarked on a six-point serving run to pull the Yellow Jackets pack within three.
- A massive block by freshman middle hitter Colby Whiteside (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) brought the Yellow Jackets back within 22-20.
- Juniata won three of the next four points to close out a 25-21 set two victory.
THIRD SET
- Back-to-back aces by Juniata's Max Cooley gave the Eagles a 10-3 lead.
- A kill by Beard brought BW back to within five points, 21-16, late in the set.
- The third-ranked Eagles sealed the sweep with a 25-21 third-set victory, advancing to Saturday's NCAA DIII Quarterfinal.
BW concludes the 2023 season with a 26-8 overall record and as MCVL regular season tri-champions and MCVL tournament champions. The team's 26 wins and NCAA tournament berth represents a dramatic turnaround from an 8-18 season in 2022.
The BW Athletic Department congratulates the men's volleyball team and the coaching and support staff on a tremendous 2023 season. The Athletic Department would also like to thank the fans and parents for their support all season long.
