ERIE, Pa. – The Baldwin Wallace University men's volleyball team faced Penn State Altoona and Penn State Behrend in two non-conference matches inside the Junker Center. The Yellow Jackets (15-3) defeated both teams in straight sets.
Match 1 vs Penn St.-Altoona (1-14) – 25-15, 25-17, and 25-21
BW was led by freshman middle hitter Josh Steinitz (Towson, Md./Friends School of Baltimore) as he tallied a career and match-high 10 kills, hitting .533 and added four blocks. Junior All-Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League outside hitter Michael Beard (Hilliard/Darby) added nine kills and six digs.
BW got out to an 11-6 advantage, forcing Altoona to its first timeout. The Yellow Jackets kept applying the pressure, increasing the lead to 16-9 to force Altoona to its second timeout. BW claimed the first set win (25-15) and second set win (25-17) in convincing fashion. After BW went up 20-14 in set, three unanswered by Altoona kept the game in close range. Another small run wasn't enough as the Yellow Jackets won the set (25-21) and the match (3-0).
Match 2 vs Penn St.-Behrend (8-4) – 25-22, 25-14, and 25-16
BW was led by junior right side hitter Nick Mazzone (Springboro/Bishop Fenwick) as he totaled a career and match-high 15 kills, hitting .433 and added eight digs and two blocks. Beard totaled 10 kills, eight digs, and two aces. Junior Academic All-MCVL Brandon Long (Hinckley/Metea Valley, Ill.) dished out 35 assists and posted seven digs.
After being down 14-7 in set one, a 12-4 run by the Yellow Jackets forced PSB to a timeout (19-18 BW). A kill by Beard closed set one, 25-22. BW got out to the hot 17-12 lead in set two, forcing the home team its second timeout of the game. The Yellow Jackets finished set two on a 8-2 run, with three kills by freshman middle hitter Colby Whiteside (Powell/Olentangy Liberty) to win the game (25-14). BW earned the 19-14 advantage in game three, forcing PSB to a timeout before the Yellow Jackets closed the set on a 6-1 run, claiming the set (25-16) and match (3-0) victory.
BW returns to the hardwood on Friday, March 3 as the team opens conference play, facing MCVL opponent Adrian (Mich.) College. The match is set to begin at 7:00 p.m. inside the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center.
