POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Arcadia University men's volleyball team traveled to Poughkeepsie, New York, for a tri-match with Kean University and host Vassar College on Saturday afternoon. Arcadia (6-7, 0-0) dropped both contests, falling to Kean in four sets, 25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-17, before being swept by Vassar, 15-25, 21-25, 20-25.
Across the two matches, Tucker Curtis totaled 21 kills, while Josh Clendening recorded four service aces. Riley Kodidek, Clendening, and Luka Erickson each finished with four total blocks on the day. Kodidek dished out 55 assists, and Cameron Birch anchored the back row with 21 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED – Match One vs. Kean
Set One: Kean 25, Arcadia 18
• Both teams traded points early, with kills from Erickson and Curtis keeping the set close at 4-3. Kean responded with a 6-1 run to take a 10-4 lead.
• A Curtis kill and block assists from Erickson highlighted a 3-0 Arcadia run, but the Cougars extended their advantage to 21-14.
• The Knights closed within four late in the set, capped by a block from Kodidek and a kill from Erickson, before Kean secured the final two points.
Set Two: Kean 25, Arcadia 15
• Kean opened on a 6-0 run before back-to-back Erickson kills and a service ace cut the deficit to 7-4.
• Kills from Jayden Wacaster and Reece Dodd, along with a kill and block from Kodidek, trimmed the margin to 11-9.
• Despite additional kills from Erickson, Curtis, Wacaster, and Clendening, Kean closed the set on a 12-6 run to take a 2-0 match lead.
Set Three: Arcadia 25, Kean 22
• Arcadia responded behind early kills from Curtis and Clendening to take a 3-2 lead before Kean built a 6-3 advantage.
• Kills from Kodidek and Pete Smith sparked a rally, and a 4-0 run, fueled by blocks from Clendening and Erickson, tied the set at 12-12.
• The Knights used a decisive 7-1 run, highlighted by kills from Clendening and Smith and a Clendening ace, to build a 19-15 lead.
• Erickson sealed the set with the final kill to extend the match.
Set Four: Kean 25, Arcadia 17
• Clendening tied the set at 4-4 with a kill and a service ace after Arcadia capitalized on early Kean errors.
• Kills from Kodidek, Curtis, Clendening, Erickson, and Aidan Mackowiak kept the Knights within striking distance at 13-10.
• Kean closed the match on a 12-7 run to secure the victory.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Curtis (12), Clendening (8), Erickson (7)
Aces: Clendening (4), Erickson (1)
Blocks: Kodidek (3), Erickson (3), Clendening (2)
Assists: Kodidek (31), Birch (3)
Digs: Kodidek (15), Birch (13), Mackowiak (10)
HOW IT HAPPENED – Match Two vs. Vassar
Set One: Vassar 25, Arcadia 15
• Dodd recorded the Knights' first two kills, giving Arcadia a 6-5 lead.
• Vassar answered with an 8-2 run to take control at 13-8.
• Clendening and Dodd added late kills, but the Brewers closed out the set.
Set Two: Vassar 25, Arcadia 21
• The teams battled through multiple ties early, with contributions from Curtis, Erickson, and Clendening.
• After Vassar used a 5-2 run to build separation, Erickson added two kills to cut the deficit to 11-9.
• A 5-2 Arcadia run, sparked by kills from Curtis and Harrison McCleery, evened the score at 15-15.
• Curtis and Clendening combined for late points, but Vassar finished on a 10-6 run to claim the set.
Set Three: Vassar 25, Arcadia 20
• Kodidek opened the set with a service ace, and Clendening followed with a kill to give Arcadia a 4-3 lead.
• Consecutive aces from McCleery, along with kills from Dodd and Kodidek, pushed the Knights ahead 9-7.
• Vassar responded with a 7-1 surge to regain control at 14-10.
• Arcadia trimmed the deficit to one at 18-17 after an Erickson kill and a Clendening solo block, but the Brewers closed out the match.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Curtis (9), Clendening (8), Dodd (4)
Aces: McCleery (2), Kodidek (1)
Blocks: Clendening (2), Kodidek (1), Erickson (1)
Assists: Kodidek (23), Curtis (2), Birch (1)
Digs: Clendening (13), Birch (8), Kodidek (8)
UP NEXT
The Knights return home Saturday, Feb. 28, for a non-conference matchup with SUNY New Paltz. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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