Thiel Spoils Men's Volleyball Home Opener

ERIE, Pa. – Dante McCoy tallied 14 kills and 10 digs to lead the Thiel men's volleyball team past Penn State Behrend 3-1 in non-conference action on Wednesday evening.

The Tomcats (3-2) spoiled the Lions (0-5) first-ever collegiate home match, winning 21-25, 25-20, 25-14 and 25-19. Grant Kocher (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) paced Behrend with 13 kills and six digs. Anthony Capizzi (Pittsburgh, PA/Pittsburgh Central Catholic) contributed nine kills to the offense on the night.

The Lions were able to take the first set from Thiel. Behrend went on a 6-1 run behind the serving of Capizzi and a kill from Kocher, along with three Tomcat attack errors for a 17-11 advantage. Thiel got within two at 20-18, but Capizzi netted two kills and Kocher knocked in the final point for a 25-21 set-one victory.

The next three sets belonged to the Tomcats. After taking the second set 25-20, the momentum carried into the third set to take the lead over the Lions. McCoy tallied six kills in the final set to help Thiel collect its third victory of the season.

Colin Ingram (Holliard, OH/Hilliard Darby) handed out 14 assists and Evan Fullerton (Ambridge, PA/Ambridge) added eight, including five in the first set.

Along the net, Peter McGowan (Wyomissing, PA/Wyomissing) and Tory Larson (Penn Hills, PA/Homeschooled) each recorded three blocks.

Behrend returns to action on Tuesday against Elmira in the Junker Center. Match time is 7 p.m.