The Men’s volleyball team won both of their matchups this past weekend at the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Crossover in Erie, Pennsylvania.
This was the Hawks first of three UVC Crossovers of the season.
First the Hawks defeated No. 12 Massachusetts Institute of Technology 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25WW-15).
Hawks first-year outside hitter Anthony Bonilla led the team and match with nine kills and posted a hitting percentage of .333. Fourth-year setter John Lutjen led the Hawks with 14 points and 19 assists. Third-year co-Captain Kevin Nardone also contributed to the victory by leading the Hawks with 12 digs.
Later that day the Hawks beat host Penn State Erie, The Behrend College 3-1 (25-21, 24-26, 25-18, 25-18).
Bonilla again led the Hawks with 19 kills and 21 points, as well as hitting .400 and chipping in eight digs. On Monday, Feb. 16, Bonilla was named Corvias Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Rookie of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Feb. 15. This is the second time this season that Bonilla has earned this honor. He previously earned it on Tuesday, Jan. 27. Bonilla currently ranks seventh in kills (3.14 per set) and fifth in hitting percentage (.366) in the United Volleyball Conference (UVC).
Other standout performances for the Hawks included second-year opposite hitter Jake Roessler, who was second on the team with 14 kills and 14 points. Nardone again led the team with 10 digs.
“It was an awesome way to kick off conference play,” Nardone said. “We play in the most demanding conference in Division III