Medaille Nips Men's Volleyball in AMCC Action

BUFFALO, NY – Nate Schneider had a match-high 20 kills, six digs and two aces to lead Medaille past the Penn State Behrend men's volleyball team 3-1 in Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) action on Thursday night.

The Mavericks (19-9, 6-0 AMCC) remain undefeated in AMCC action with their second 3-1 victory over the Lions (7-15, 1-6 AMCC) this season. Medaille fell in the first set 25-22 and then won the next three close sets 26-24, 26-24 and 25-21.

Behrend had three players with double-digit kills who hit over. 300 on the night, led by Eric Theiss's (Plum, PA/Plum) 14 kills and eight digs. Trenton Munk (Baden, PA/Ambridge) added 12 kills and Tyler Herrmann (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) contributed 11 kills, five digs and three blocks.

The Lions erased a six-point deficit in the first set with a 12-5 run to take the lead for good at 18-17. Josh Oertly (Cochranton, PA/Cochranton) kept Behrend ahead by one on his serve at 19-18, while Theiss added two kills and Oertly knocked in the final point for a 25-22 victory.

The Lions turned the tables in the second set and took a 17-13 lead only to be taken back by the Mavericks at 20-19. The match was tied five times, including 24-all thanks to a kill by Oertly to stop set point for Medaille. A kill from Sam Bloomberg and a Behrend attack error tied the match at 1-all with a 26-24 decision.

The third set proved to be just as close as the second. The Lions held a 21-18 lead but the Mavericks went on an 8-3 spurt to finish the set, ending the same way the second did with a kill and an error for a two-point win and a 2-1 edge in the match.

Medaille held a five-point late in the fourth at 21-16 and Behrend got within two at 22-20 to force a Mavericks timeout. From there, Medaille won three of the next four points on two kills from Schneider and one from Brad Schneider for a 25-21 win.

Oertly added eight kills to his career total to give him 653, putting him 17 away from breaking the all-time record.

Anthony Sprentz (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) dished out 39 assists, while Robert McMaster (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) led with nine digs.  

Behrend returns to action on Tuesday at Nazareth. Match begins at 7 p.m.