Lions Take Hiram in Four

HIRAM, Ohio – Dillon Hildebrand (Red Lion, PA/Red Lion) knocked down a career-high 19 kills to help the Penn State Behrend men's volleyball team defeat Hiram 3-1 in non-conference action on Friday night.

The Lions (2-2) won three unanswered sets after falling 25-21 in the first to down the Terriers (3-2). Behrend won the second set 30-28 then posted a 25-14 and 25-18 victories for its second win of the season.

In addition to Hildebrand, Josh Mathews (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) and Jake Albert (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) each set career highs tonight. Mathews had a game and career-best 12 digs, while Albert registered nine kills and six digs.

Anthony Sprentz (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley) led with 38 assists, seven digs, two kills and one ace.

After combining for 15 errors over the first two sets, the Lions only committed five total over the next two sets for the win. It was the eight errors in the first set that helped Hiram take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Terriers won their final three points on errors at 25-21.

Behrend led by four in the beginning of the second set (6-2) and then trailed by three at 16-13. The Lions managed to take the lead again at 24-20 to give them four chances at set point. Hiram grabbed a 28-27 lead but a kills from Joey Reynolds (Saegertown, PA/Saegertown) and a kill from Albert combined with a Terriers error gave Behrend a 30-28 victory to even the match at 1-all.

Hildebrand tallied five kills in the third set to help the Lions take control of the match. Colin Dedert (Pittsburgh, PA/Plum) and Reynolds blocked Hunter Rock's attack attempt for the final point at 25-14 for the win.

Behrend never trailed in the fourth set, however, Hiram tied it at 12-all before the Lions went on an 8-2 run for a 20-14 lead. Hildebrand had the final three offensive points for Behrend and make it 25-18.

The Lions return to action tomorrow against Wittenberg at Hiram. Match time is 10 a.m. Behrend will also face St. John Fisher at 2 p.m.