WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – The Arcadia University men's volleyball team picked up two wins in Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) play, as it swept a tri-match over Widener and Wilkes on Thursday night.
 
The Knights topped Widener in four sets in their opening match, and swept Wilkes in the night-cap.
 
With the two victories, Arcadia improved to 4-5 overall and 2-0 in MAC play.
 
In the match against Widener, Danny Gonzalez and Amadeus Cannon led the Knights attack with 14 and 13 kills respectively. Cannon also had seven blocks, which is a new career high. Vaughn McConnell dished out 40 assists the in the Arcadia victory over the Pride.
 
In the win over Wilkes, Owen Heft led the Knights with 10 kills. Cannon added another nine kills and five blocks for a total of 22 kills and 12 blocks in the two matches.  
 
ARCADIA 3, WIDENER 1
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
Set 1: Arcadia 25, Widener 18:
The Knights took five of the opening six points of the set. Widener got within a point at 9-8, but Arcadia went on a 12-2 run to take a 21-10 lead. The Pride fought off five set points, but Arcadia took the final point to win the set.
 
Set 2: Widener 25, Arcadia 23:
Arcadia jumped out to a 10-5 lead. Widener answered back with an extended 16-5 run to take a 21-15 lead. The Knights battled back to get within a point, 23-22, but Widener took two of the final three points to tie the match at one.
 
Set 3: Arcadia 25, Widener 20:
The teams could not gain any separation in the early stages of the set. However, Arcadia used a 4-0 run to take an 18-13 lead. The Knights maintained their lead through the final stages of the set to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
Set 4: Arcadia 25, Widener 20:
With the set tied at 11, Arcadia won five consecutive points, giving it a 16-11 advantage. The Knights would go on to close out the set to win the match.
 
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Gonzalez (14), Cannon (13), Owen Heft (8)
Assists: McConnell (40)
Digs: Mike Carr (8), Gonzalez (7), Vincent Colucci (5)
Blocks: Cannon (7), McConnell/Carr (3)
Aces: Gonzalez/Carr (2), McConnell (1)
 
ARCADIA 3, WILKES 0
HOW IT HAPPENED

Set 1: Arcadia 25, Wilkes 22:
A back and forth start eventually saw Wilkes take a 15-12 lead. The Knights then won four consecutive points, taking a 16-15 lead. With the set tied at 19, Arcadia closed the set on a 6-3 run to take the opening frame of the match.
 
Set 2: Arcadia 25, Wilkes 19
The Knights opened the set on a 7-0 run. Wilkes got within three points in the remainder of the set, but Arcadia closed out the frame to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Set 3: Arcadia 25, Wilkes 21:
Wilkes opened the set on a 4-0 run and extended its lead to 6-2. The Knights then went on a 6-0 run, giving them an 8-6 lead. The Colonels battled back to retake the lead at 12-9. With Wilkes leading 19-16, the Knights went on a 6-0 run to take a 22-19 lead. The teams traded the final four points as Arcadia won the set and the match.
 
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Heft (10), Cannon (9), Ryan Miller (6)
Assists: McConnell (18), Riley Kodidek (16)
Digs: Gonzalez (12), Cameron Birch (9), Dylan Zimmerman (5)
Blocks: Cannon (5), Miller (3)
Aces: McConnell (3)
 
UP NEXT
The Knights look forward to three matches on Feb. 11 and 12 at Alumni Gymnasium. Arcadia begins play at 12 p.m. on Feb. 11 against Baruch.