BEAVER FALLS, Pa. – In a matchup of two schools who have grown to be rivals in many different sports, the Geneva men's volleyball team secured a important Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) victory over Grove City on Wednesday evening, sweeping the Wolverines 25-18, 25-20, 25-20. It was the first win for the men against Grove City since the PAC began sponsoring men's volleyball last year. Geneva's record improves to 7-12 overall after the win, 1-3 in the PAC, while GCC falls to 7-9, 0-2 in PAC play.

There was a high level of energy that could be sensed right from the start of the match as the Golden Tornadoes came out swinging. A resounding kill from senior Evan Puhl, followed by an ace from junior Owen Kelley, put the men ahead 4-1 early on, and that lead extended to 10-5 before long. A 7-3 run from the GTs midway through the set sent Geneva in front 18-10, and Grove City did not challenge for the remainder of the set as the men took it 25-18.

It was the Wolverines turn to come out hot in the second set as the visitors ran out to a 10-6 advantage. Geneva responded with an 8-2 run behind two kills apiece for Puhl and Kelley, and that blow seemed to jar Grove City as the visitors struggled to string points together after that. Kelley continued his excellent play, putting virtually every one of his swings on the Wolverines' side of the court, and he finished the set with eight kills in the frame to spur the GTs to a 25-20 set victory.

A block assist from junior Daniel Spear and freshman Joshua Stowe put Geneva ahead 4-2 at the outset of the third frame. Grove City kept it close, however, and the two sides traded blows until the score stood at 17-all. Sophomore Matthew DeGraaf, thrust into a starting role recently, came alive at that point, registering four kills over Geneva's final nine points to boost the men to victory, 25-20.

Kelley led the team with nine kills, finishing tied for the team lead with six digs as well. DeGraaf contributed eight kills of his own in the win on just 14 total swings, good enough for a .571 hitting percentage. Stowe, Puhl, and Spear all notched six kills, with the former also recording six digs. Senior Andrew Ubinger served up a team-best 28 assists in guiding the GTs' attack.

The men remain at home for their next contest, a 7:00 p.m. tilt against Saint Vincent this Friday, February 27. The Bearcats will enter that match undefeated in PAC play.

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).