Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 UNION, NJ – Following a tough loss to 11th-ranked Kean to start the season on Thursday, the Johnson & Wales University men's volleyball team fought back to win a pair of matches Friday during the Kean Invitational. The Wildcats topped Hunter 3-0 (25-23, 25-17, 25-15) then bounced D'Youville, 3-1 (27-25, 22-25, 25-14, 25-22).
Record:
Johnson & Wales: 2-1
JWU Statistical Leaders:
Cameron Ponce: 32 Assists (DC), 21 Assists (HC)
Brendan Baker: 12 Kills (DC)
Ryan Kennedy: 12 Kills (DC)
Kyle Eva: 7 Bocks (DC), 6 Blocks (HC)
The Lead:
Blocking was a big key for the Wildcats in picking up the two triumphs. In the first match, JWU rejected Hunter 14 times then blocked 11 attempts by D'Youville. Johnson & Wales also got its offense going versus the Spartans with a .287 hitting percentage.
Of Note:
Johnson & Wales spotted Hunter four points to start the game then came back to tie the set at 8-8. After the Wildcats took the lead, 15-14, HC responded with a 5-1 run to take a 19-16 advantage. The Wildcats answered with a 7-2 spurt of their own for a 23-21 decision before the two teams traded points to end the set. A Ryan Kennedy (West Barnstable, Mass.) kill ended the opening period.
Down 24-23, the Wildcats were on the brink of dropping the first set to D'Youville. A Brendan Baker (Providence, RI) kill then a block from Kyle Eva (Charlestown, RI) and Cameron Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) gave JWU the lead back. Back-to-back kills from Eva and Ponce gave the Wildcats the set, 27-25.
After D'Youville took the second set, Baker started the third with a four-point service run to give the Wildcats a comfortable cushion the rest of the set. He and Kennedy led the team with 12 kills each. Johnson & Wales had a balanced attack with four players at six or more kills.
The rookie setter Ponce ran the offense effectively, recording 21 assists against Hunter and 32 versus D'Youville. He had a good performance all the way around, recording 13 blocks and 15 assists between the two matches.
Up Next:
The Wildcats are on the road Tuesday when they travel to MIT for a 7 p.m. contest.
