Behrend Splits Matches at UVC Crossover

BUFFALO, NY – The Penn State Behrend men's volleyball team split a pair of matches on the second day of the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Crossover hosted by Medaille on Sunday. The Lions defeated Bard 3-0 but fell to No. 7 New York University, 3-1.

The Lions (3-6, 1-3 UVC) posted a 25-12, 25-13 and 25-14 win over Bard behind the hitting percentage of .369 by the team. Nathan Steele (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) led with eight kills and four digs, while Grant Kocher (McMurray, PA/Peters Township) finished with six kills, four digs and two aces to help Behrend earn its third win.

Evan Fullerton (Ambridge, PA/Ambridge) tallied 14 assists and Colin Ingram (Hilliard, OH/Hilliard Darby) was one behind with 13.

Bard made 12 blocking errors in the loss, and Henry Kasiske recorded 13 assists and four kills.

Against NYU, the Lions took away game one 25-22, but the Violets caught back up and won the next three 25-22, 25-19 and 25-20. Behrend eliminated NYU in the first round of the UVC playoffs a year ago.

Keith Waddell had a career-best 24 kills and Nick Benson added 15 kills.

Kocher had his best match of the weekend with 16 kills, seven digs and three blocks. Fullerton registered 33 assists, four digs and three blocks. Derek Polishen (Plum, PA/Plum) led with 11 digs. As a team, Behrend had 14 blocks.

The Lions earned the come-back win in the first set. Behrend was down 19-15 and used a 10-4 run behind four kills and four errors by the Violets.

In the second set, the Lions held a 21-19 advantage but NYU got revenge for the first set and went on a 6-1 run to even the match at 1-all.

The next two sets were just as close as the first two with NYU narrowly edging Behrend for the win.

The Lions return to action at D'Youville. Match begins at 7 p.m.