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Trine University

Men's Volleyball

Lions Hold Off Thunder in Four Sets

Box Score

ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's volleyball team lost in a Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) contest 3-1 to the visiting Mount St. Joseph University on Friday night.

The Thunder (9-12, 1-3 MCVL) staved off defeat down two sets to one with a 30-28 win in the third, but it was not enough to roar all the way back for the victory as the Lions (10-8, 4-3 MCVL) sealed the match with a set four triumph.

Kevin Boncaro [Rochester, N.Y. / Rush Henrietta] was the focal point offensively in the early goings as Trine took a 10-8 lead on his service ace. A run by Mount St. Joseph led to a Thunder timeout trailing 18-15. Kyle Dixon [Lockport, Ill. / Lockport Township] provided momentum for a 3-0 run following a kill, but seven of the next ten points belonged to the Lions in a 25-21 set win.

Mount St. Joseph scored eight of the first ten points in set number two to take a commanding advantage, however three kills by Matt Stillman [Mokena, Ill. / Lincoln Way Central] in the midst of a 5-0 run allowed the Thunder to bring it to within one. Ethan Howard [South Whitley, Ind. / Witko] rose up for a kill to tie the match up at 10 a few moments later.

The duo of Stillman and Howard continued to work magic for Trine as they jumped out to a 21-18 edge, but a big rally by the Lions would suck the life out of Hershey Hall as the visitors went on to win 25-23 in the second.

The long-winded third set saw Mount St. Joseph take a slight lead early and maintain it throughout the middle stages of the set. A kill by Carter Steffgen [Lockport, Ill. / Lockport Township] gave the Thunder their first lead of the third at 16-15 to force the Lions into a timeout.

When it looked as though their backs were against the wall, Trine called upon Ted Hofmeister [Powell, Ohio / Saint Charles] and late substitutes Daniel Boren [Fort Wayne, Ind. / Homestead] and Sam Buckingham [Saginaw, Mich. / Nouvel Catholic Central] for offense. With the score tied at 28, the Thunder accumulated back-to-back points off of Mount St. Joseph errors to win the third, 30-28.

The Lions would put the match to rest in the fourth with a wire-to-wire victory, 25-20. Buckingham led the way with three kills in the fourth set alone.

Stillman was the kills leader for Trine with 13, a value that tied his career-best. He also had two solo blocks and chipped in on two block assists. In the back row, Hunter Haas [Cincinnati, Ohio / Bishop Moeller] had 18 digs, the only Thunder player in double figures.

Trine is slated to face Wittenberg University on Saturday, March 26 at 4 pm.

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Players Mentioned

Daniel Boren

#23 Daniel Boren

OPP
6' 4"
Senior
Sam Buckingham

#24 Sam Buckingham

MB
6' 6"
Sophomore
Kyle Dixon

#5 Kyle Dixon

OH
6' 4"
Senior
Sports Performance
Ethan Howard

#1 Ethan Howard

S
5' 10"
Junior
Enigma
Carter Steffgen

#11 Carter Steffgen

OH
6' 2"
Freshman
Kevin Boncaro

#20 Kevin Boncaro

OPP
6' 3"
Junior
Hunter Haas

#2 Hunter Haas

DS/L
5' 10"
Senior
Ted Hofmeister

#14 Ted Hofmeister

OH
6' 4"
Senior
Matt Stillman

#18 Matt Stillman

MB
6' 5"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Daniel Boren

#23 Daniel Boren

6' 4"
Senior
OPP
Sam Buckingham

#24 Sam Buckingham

6' 6"
Sophomore
MB
Kyle Dixon

#5 Kyle Dixon

6' 4"
Senior
Sports Performance
OH
Ethan Howard

#1 Ethan Howard

5' 10"
Junior
Enigma
S
Carter Steffgen

#11 Carter Steffgen

6' 2"
Freshman
OH
Kevin Boncaro

#20 Kevin Boncaro

6' 3"
Junior
OPP
Hunter Haas

#2 Hunter Haas

5' 10"
Senior
DS/L
Ted Hofmeister

#14 Ted Hofmeister

6' 4"
Senior
OH
Matt Stillman

#18 Matt Stillman

6' 5"
Senior
MB