NORTH ANDOVER, MA- The Merrimack men's volleyball team claimed victory over the Daemen University Wildcats in the KP Match of the Week on Saturday, March 8th.
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Rapid Recap
Score: Merrimack 3, Daemen 1
Records: Merrimack 7-4 Daemen 9-4
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How it Happened
The first set was a battle for both sides. Logan Whitaker would get the Warriors rolling with a string of spikes and a block early on. Nick Tidik provided a clutch block and clutch spike halfway through the set. The Warriors would be momentarily down, but would crawl back to be within striking distance of the Wildcats. Logan Whitaker would provide some more fire power late in the set with some kills to keep the Warriors in it. Ephraim Abhulime would have a big block towards the end of the set, prompting Daemen to call a timeout. After the timeout, he and Logan Whitaker would team up for another big block to tie the game at 24. The freshman middle blocker would come in clutch once again with a spike to tie the set at 25. Isaiah Vogel would provide a spark with a big spike for point 26. It would be a huge service ace from Logan Whitaker that would be the deciding point for Merrimack and push them to win set 1 by a score of 27-25.
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The second set would have the same intensity as the first. Isaiah Vogel would have a clutch block in the early goings that energized the team. His brother Kai Vogel would get a service ace that resulted in a Warriors lead. Logan Whitaker would catch fire early in the set with a string of kills. Ephraim Abhulime would catch fire with a kill and a service ace, propelling the Warriors to take an 11-6 lead. The rally from the blue and gold would force Daemen to take another timeout. Logan Whitaker would once again come through with a pair of kills. Isaiah Vogel and Nick Tidik would team up for a huge block in front of the net for point 16. Nick Tidik would be involved with securing another block one point later. The Warriors would be momentarily down, but would crawl back within striking distance with a kill and a shared block from Kai Vogel. Despite the Warrior's late surge, the Daemen Wildcats would win set 2 by a score of 25-22.Â
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The third set started with another seesaw contest. Kasen Owens would heat up and provide a pair of kills. Ephraim Abhulime would once again use his net-front presence and secure another block and another kill for the Warriors. Kai Vogel would have a thunderous service ace and a kill halfway through the set, causing Daemen to once again take a timeout. Reece Lindstrom would redirect a ball for a kill that worked to the Warrior's advantage. Ephraim Abhulime would follow by getting the building energized with emphatic blocks and spikes. Nick Tidik and Kasen Owens would have kills at the end of the set that would add more points for the blue and gold. It would be Ephraim Abhulime with the set-deciding point at the end of the frame to give the Warriors a 25-22 set victory.Â
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The fourth set saw the teams trade points again. Logan Whitaker came right out of the gate with two kills for the Warriors. Kasen Owens and Ephraim Abhulime would follow suit with big spikes of their own. Kai Vogel would keep the train rolling with consecutive spikes of his own. Logan Whitaker would get hot in the middle of the set and provide another string of kills to add to the Warrior's lead. Dallas Birkenbeuel would make the box score by teaming up for a big block with Ephraim Abhulime. The Providence native would have another big spike for point 23 late in the set. It would be Kai Vogel giving the Warriors the set and match victory with a kill.Â
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Notes and Numbers
Up Next
The Warriors return home tomorrow, March 9th when they play the Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks at Hammel Court at 12PM.Â
For continuing coverage of Merrimack Athletics and Merrimack men's volleyball, visit merrimackathletics.com . Follow Merrimack men's volleyball on Instagram @merrimackmvb .
