DALLAS, P.A. – The Medaille College men's volleyball team returned for day two of the Cougar Classic. After winning their match against Wilkes University the night before, the Mavs fell short against Misericordia University in three sets (23-25, 18-25, 15-25). In the afternoon game, the Mavs lost in four sets to Lancaster Bible College ((16-25, 20-25, 28-26, 17-25).
Game 1
The Cougars jumped out to an early lead, but
Matt Dickerson (Lockport, NY, Starpoint) wasted no time getting back to his scoring ways. The Mavs kept them in range with Dickerson reaching four kills in the first set.
Malachi Jackson (Cheektowaga, NY, Cheektowaga) was also tough at the net as the Mavs were down 23-24 after a Cougar service error. The Cougars bounced back with a quick kill to end the set with a 25-23 win. Both teams had a .304 hitting percentage in the first set.
Jackson and Dickerson continued to lead the offense with the help of setter
Kevin Cashdollar (Clarence, NY, Clarence HS). The Cougars were able to side out consistently which made it difficult for the Mavs to string together points. Despite being down 21-13, the Mavs fought back with a kill from
George Muriel (Hamburg, NY, Hamburg) and service ace from Cashdollar. Dickerson put up a kill late and the comeback fell short with the Mavs losing the second set, 18-25.
The Cougar offense found their stride in the third set. They put together a five-kill run on the middle of the set that put them way out front. The Mavs ran out of steam and dropped the final set 15-25.
Dickerson led the Mavs with eight kills on 16 swings with only one error for a .438 hitting percentage. Dickerson also led defensively with six digs. Jackson had seven kills with three digs and an ace. Cashdollar recorded 18 assists, two aces, and five digs while
Brandon Smith (Lancaster, NY, Lancaster) had two kills, one solo block, and two block assists.
Game 2
Smith earned the first point for the Mavericks that was not an error from Lancaster Bible. The Chargers rallied to score eight points to Medaille's one to go up 11-5 in the middle of the set. Cashdollar, Jackson and
Tyler Hassell (Angola, NY, Lake Shore) brought the Mavs back and tied the score at 14. The Charges went on a huge 11-2 run to take the first set 25-16.
The scoring streak continued in the second set for Lancaster Bible with a 11-1 lead before Dickerson stopped the bleeding with a kill. The Chargers started making too many hitting mistakes that Medaille capitalized on to get the Mavs to a 13-16 score. Jackson continued to score at the net and the service line. The Mavs found themselves within range multiple times but could not finish as they lost 20-25.
Medaille flipped the script in the third set taking a 12-6 lead with kills from multiple Maverick attackers. The Chargers were tough offensively and stuck around long enough to get the score to 22-24 with Medaille still in the lead. A service error and two kills from the Chargers put the Mavs in a tough spot as they were now losing 24-25. A clutch kill by Jackson tied the score at 25 and a setting error gave them the lead. The Chargers grabbed a block to tie the score at 26 but a kill from Jackson and Dickerson sealed the deal for a 28-26 set win.
Jackson, Dickerson, and Smith were successful at the net, but the Chargers were relentless. Medaille found themselves behind 12-21 until a Dickerson kill ended their streak. The Chargers made a few more mistakes attacking to keep the game close. Smith added a kill late in the set before the Chargers took the set 25-17.
Jackson led the offense with 14 kills, seven digs and one ace. Dickerson recorded 12 kills, one ace, three total blocks, and four digs. Cashdollar had 31 assists, one ace, and nine digs. Smith led defensively with four total blocks and 12 digs while also chipping in three kills.
The Mavs will have some time off before they head to Daemen College on February 1 for a 6:00 p.m. game.
