OWINGS MILLS, Md. – The Arcadia University men's volleyball team dropped a road conference match to Stevenson University on Wednesday evening. The Knights (8-11, 2-3 MAC) fell 3-1 by set scores of 27-25, 25-19, 19-25, and 25-15.
Arcadia was led by Cameron Birch and Reece Dodd with 10 kills apiece. Riley Kodidek added two service aces, while Kodidek and Dodd each recorded four blocks. Kodidek also dished out 39 assists, and Birch and Aidan Mackowiak led the defensive effort with 11 digs each. As a team, the Knights hit .211, while Stevenson posted a .286 hitting percentage.
HOW IT HAPPENED
SET ONE: Stevenson 27 – Arcadia 25
• After Stevenson opened the scoring, the Knights responded with a 7-1 run fueled by kills from Reece Dodd and Tucker Curtis, along with multiple blocks from Dodd and Riley Kodidek.
• Curtis added a kill and a service ace, and Cameron Birch followed with a kill to give Arcadia a 10-4 lead.
• Birch added two more kills, and Curtis contributed another to extend the lead to 13-11. A service ace from Josh Clendening and another Curtis kill kept Arcadia in front before Stevenson used a 4-0 run to tie the set at 18-18.
• The Knights regained momentum with a 3-0 run, highlighted by a block from Birch and Luka Erickson, to take a 21-18 lead. Clendening's kill made it 23-21, but Stevenson closed the set on a late surge to secure the 27-25 win.
SET TWO: Stevenson 25 – Arcadia 19
• Arcadia jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind a kill from Dodd and a block with Josh Clendening, but Stevenson answered with a 5-1 run.
• Kills from Curtis, Kodidek, and Luka Erickson, along with a block from Kodidek and Dodd, kept the Knights within one at 9-8.
• After trading points, Stevenson used a 6-0 run to take control at 19-12.
• Dodd sparked a late push with three kills, and Clendening and Birch added key points, but Stevenson held on to take a 2-0 match lead.
SET THREE: Arcadia 25 – Stevenson 19
• A fast start gave Arcadia a 4-1 lead with kills from Erickson and Harrison McCleery.
• Dodd and McCleery added to the advantage, while Birch contributed a service ace and Clendening and Erickson combined for a block to make it 12-8.
• Stevenson tied the set at 12-12, but the Knights responded with strong play down the stretch.
• Dodd, McCleery, Erickson, and Birch all contributed offensively, and a 4-0 run pushed Arcadia ahead for good.
• Clendening sealed the set with a kill to give the Knights a 25-19 win.
SET FOUR: Stevenson 25 – Arcadia 15
• Kills from Erickson, Dodd, McCleery, Birch, and Clendening kept the Knights within striking distance early, trailing 10-8.
• Stevenson pulled away with a decisive 5-0 run to build separation.
• Despite late kills from McCleery, Clendening, and Birch, the Mustangs closed out the set and the match to earn the 3-1 victory.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Birch (10), Dodd (10), Clendening (9)
Aces: Kodidek (2), Birch (1), Clendening (1)
Blocks: Kodidek (4), Dodd (4), Erickson (3)
Assists: Kodidek (39), Birch (4), Aidan Mackowiak (2)
Digs: Birch (11), Mackowiak (11), Clendening (8)
UP NEXT
The Knights return home on Saturday for a tri-match featuring conference opponent Misericordia and non-conference foe Cairn. First serve is set for 12:00 p.m.
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