NORTH ANDOVER, MA- The Merrimack men's volleyball team beat the Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks in three straight sets on Sunday, March 9th.
Rapid Recap
Score: Merrimack 3, Roberts 0
Records: Merrimack 8-4, Roberts 7-13
How it Happened
The first set saw the Warriors get off to a commanding start, going up as much as 5-1 in the early goings. Kai Vogel and Kasen Owens provided some kills to get the Warriors rolling. Logan Whitaker and Ephraim Abhulime added to the offense with tallies of their own. Nick Tidik got involved in the Warrior's pursuit, putting the blue and gold up 15-9 and prompting the Redhawks to use a timeout. The Warriors would get on a hot streak and not look back, as they went up 20-11 with a Logan Whitaker service ace and another kill from Ephraim Abhulime. Nathan Knapp and John Clinton added to the offense with big spikes at the end of the set. It would be Andrew Haber getting the final point of the set, propelling the Warriors to win set 1 by a score of 25-16.
The second set saw the Warriors heat up again in the early goings, obtaining a 3-0 lead to start the frame. John Clinton and Nathan Knapp got kills in the first half of the set, adding to the Warrior's point total. The blue and gold got rolling and took a commanding 15-7 lead halfway through the set. Isaiah Vogel and Andrew Haber would catch fire and provide kills of their own. John Clinton got involved again and added to the Warrior's tally. Chris U'Glay redirected a ball over the net late in the set for point 24. It would be Nathan Knapp getting the last tally of the set and leading the Warriors to a set victory by a score of 25-11.
The third set saw the Warriors have a temporary deficit in the first half of the frame. However, they would come all the way back to be even with the Redhawks. This offensive pursuit was led by Nathan Knapp as he recorded a string of kills. He then teamed up with Chris U'Glay for a block in front of the net to tie the set at 12. The duo would work together again to get another block for point 14. Dallas Birkenbeuel followed suit with a block of his own to put the Warriors up by 1. Isaiah Vogel and Nathan Knapp put the Warriors up late in the frame. It would be John Clinton getting the service ace and securing the match victory for Merrimack. The blue and gold got the set victory 25-21 and the match victory 3-0.
Notes and Numbers
Up Next
The Warriors will hit the road to take on the St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans on March 14th and the George Mason Patriots on March 15th. Both contests will start at 5PM. The match on March 14th will be streamed on the ECC Network. The match on March 15th will be streamed on ESPN+. The links to watch are on the Merrimack men's volleyball schedule.
For continuing coverage of Merrimack Athletics, visit merrimackathletics.com . Follow Merrimack men's volleyball on instagram @merrimackmvb .
