BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – Geneva began its men's volleyball season this evening with a three-set loss to the University of Mount Union, dropping the match 15-25, 20-25, 18-25. Mount Union came into the match after defeating the defending national champions over the weekend, but the Golden Tornadoes held their own and showed promise throughout the match. The loss gives the men an 0-1 record to start the season, while the Purple Raiders move up to 3-1 overall.

Three early kills from junior Andrew Ubinger, sophomore Daniel Spear, and junior Evan Puhl kept the men close at the outset of the match, and they trailed 4-3 through the first seven points. Mount Union proceeded to outscore Geneva 9-2 over the next stretch of play, and the visitors took a commanding 13-5 lead midway through the set. Spear recorded two more kills to keep Geneva within striking distance, but the Purple Raiders closed the first set well and won it 25-15.

Another strong start to the set by Spear, combined with a couple of kills from freshman Owen Kelley, gave the GTs a 6-4 advantage to begin set number two. Mount Union tied the set at six, and the two sides went back-and-forth over the next several minutes, with neither team holding more than a one-point lead until the Purple Raiders got in front 16-14. That was part of a greater 9-2 run from the visitors, which put them firmly in control down the stretch. An ace from Ubinger, sandwiched around kills from Kelley and Puhl, pulled Geneva within four points, but Mount Union took the second set 25-20.

The Golden Tornadoes started off the third set well, taking advantage of several Purple Raider attack errors to move in front 5-2. A Ubinger kill made the score 7-3, but Mount Union came right back to knot the score at seven apiece. The two sides remained close until about the midway point of the set, when Mount Union took off on a 7-1 run. The visitors closed out well and won the third and final set 25-18.

Kelley led Geneva's attack with nine kills and a .211 hitting percentage, closely followed by six kills from Spear, who hit .200. Freshman setter Colton Alfaro recorded a game-high 22 assists in his collegiate debut, as well as a team-best seven digs. The Mount Union attack was very spread out, with four players posting at least five kills.

The men's next match comes on Thursday, a home tilt against Carlow at 7:00 p.m. After that, the GTs are on the road for seven straight matches, not playing in Metheny Fieldhouse again until February 6^th.


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).