BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – The Geneva College men's volleyball team wrapped up the regular season on Saturday afternoon with a sweep (25-13, 25-11, 25-23) of Hilbert as the Golden Tornadoes prepare for the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) playoffs next week. Geneva is now 17-14 overall, 12-1 in the AMCC, its best record in a full season in conference play.
Geneva took little time in taking control of set one, jumping out to quick 5-2 lead behind two kills from junior Emerson Spear and one from senior Byron Spear. Hilbert would try to stay close, but the Golden Tornadoes reeled off eight straight points late in the set, with Byron Spear adding two more kills and senior Jake Williams two aces. A kill from junior Carter Milroy finished off the set, 25-13.
The second set brought more of the same. Geneva again jumped out to a 5-2 lead, and the Golden Tornadoes never let up. An 11-2 run midway through the set, with Byron Spear adding three more kills, pushed the Geneva edge to 18-7, and a double block from Milroy and graduate student Matthew Slater closed out the set, 25-11.
The third set was much closer. In fact, Hilbert jumped ahead early and led for most of the set, extending its lead to 14-9 at one point. A Geneva timeout seemed to turn things around as the Golden Tornadoes scored the next five points to pull level, but the Hawks quickly pushed their lead back out to 19-15. Geneva responded with a 5-1 run to tie the score at 20-20. The teams alternated the next four points before an ace from Emerson Spear gave the Golden Tornadoes their first lead, 23-22, since scoring the opening point of the set. A kill from Byron Spear got Geneva to match point, and after a Hilbert point, Spear finished off the match with a kill, 25-23.
Byron Spear led the offense with 15 kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Milroy, Williams and Emerson Spear each added five kills as Geneva hit .238 as a team. Graduate student Curtis Thomas had 22 assists, while sophomore Joshua Sangrey finished with 16 digs. Milroy added five blocks as well.
Geneva finished the regular season tied in the AMCC with Penn State Behrend, but because Behrend defeated the Golden Tornadoes in their only matchup this year, Behrend will host the AMCC playoffs. Geneva gets a bye in the first round and will play the winner of the quarterfinal match between Thiel and Hiram on Friday. The championship match will be held on Saturday.
Through purposeful learning in a community reflecting the full spectrum of God's kingdom, a Geneva College experience inspires students to discover a faith-life calling in service to God and neighbor. Offering 195+ traditional undergraduate majors and programs, fully online Adult Degree Programs and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality and affordability. Geneva was founded and is governed by the Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America (RPCNA) and is a founding member of both the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) and the International Association for Christian Education (IACE).
