1/15/2026
Recaps and insights from some matches played 1/15:
Carthage swept Benedictine (IL) in dominant fashion with a commanding 3-0 victory (25-18, 25-15, 25-22). The Firebirds controlled the match from start to finish, overpowering the Eagles with a potent offensive attack that generated 75 total points compared to Benedictine’s 55. Carthage was ruthless at the net with 33 kills while maintaining an efficient .295 hitting percentage, compared to Benedictine’s .024 mark. The Firebirds also showcased superior blocking with 9 total blocks (4 solos, 11 assists) compared to just 4 for the Eagles, while dominating the service game with 7 aces. For Carthage, Ryan Monahan led the way with a match-high 13 points, hammering down 10 kills on 24 total attacks with a .208 hitting percentage while adding 2 digs, 1 block solo, and 2 block assists. Transfer Ryan Bartz delivered a stellar performance with 12 points, recording 8 kills on 17 attacks with a .294 hitting percentage, 7 digs, 1 block solo, and 2 block assists. Ben Heise provided consistent firepower with 10 points on 9 kills (22 attacks, .409 hitting percentage) and 1 dig, while Ruben Emmerich added 8 points with 3 kills, 1 block solo, and a team-high 4 block assists. Ryan Morey orchestrated the Firebirds’ balanced attack, distributing 28 assists while contributing 5 digs and 1.5 points. Hudson Sweitzer chipped in 4 points with 2 kills, 2 digs, 1 block solo, and 2 block assists. Benedictine was led by Tucker Lambert who battled hard with a team-high 9 points, recording 7 kills on 25 attacks while adding 3 digs and 1 block solo. Jacob Thomas contributed 8 points with 8 kills on a .467 hitting percentage (15 attacks), while Spencer VanEngen distributed 22 assists and added 7 digs and 2.5 points.
Wentworth delivered a commanding sweep over D1 Merrimack (25-23, 25-18, 25-23), showcasing offensive precision and defensive consistency throughout the match. The Leopards’ attack was firing on all cylinders, generating 38 kills with a strong overall .329 hitting percentage that left the Warriors struggling to keep pace. Wentworth outpaced Merrimack 75-64 in total points while controlling the tempo at the net with 7 total blocks to the Warriors’ 4, and the Leopards matched their opponents with 6 service aces while maintaining excellent ball control with just 17 service errors. The offensive fireworks for Wentworth came from multiple sources, led by the phenomenal efficiency of Conner Foxwell, who posted a match-high 11.5 points on just 12 swings. His 7 kills at a .583 hitting percentage set the tone, complemented by 2 digs and 3 block assists that made him a force on both sides of the net. Freshman middle William Biggs was equally impressive with 11 points, unleashing 10 kills on 19 attempts with a blistering .421 efficiency while grabbing 2 digs and 2 block assists. The balanced attack continued with Benjamin Moughon recording 8.5 points (8 kills, .313 hitting percentage) and a team-high 8 digs, while Alem Dubcak added 8 points with 6 kills at a .278 clip. Matthew Zegowitz provided exceptional work at the net with 6 points, 3 kills, and a team-leading 4 block assists, and Eli Turner chipped in 5.5 points with 4 kills and 3 block assists. The offensive distribution came courtesy of Brayden Green, who dished out 16 assists and contributed 6 digs to keep the Leopards’ attack flowing smoothly. Merrimack received a valiant effort from Dallas Birkenbeuel, who led all scorers with 14 points despite the loss, grinding out 12 kills on 36 attempts while adding 4 digs. Blake Taschner fought hard for 6.5 points with 5 kills on an efficient .333 hitting percentage and 4 digs, while Max Tkachev matched that output with 6.5 points, 6 kills, and 4 digs.
Lancaster Bible captured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Marymount in an epic five-set battle (25-19, 22-25, 25-16, 22-25, 15-13). The Chargers displayed resilience and clutch performance down the stretch, outlasting the Saints in a match that showcased outstanding volleyball from both sides. Lancaster Bible dominated offensively with 44 kills, while posting a solid .236 hitting percentage and delivering 27 service aces that proved crucial in the tight contest. The Chargers controlled the net with 18 total blocks and demonstrated exceptional defensive effort with 34 digs to secure the hard-fought victory. For Lancaster Bible, Kevin Bryant was sensational with a match-high 16 points, crushing 11 kills on 21 total attacks with a .381 hitting percentage while adding 1 dig, 2 block solos, and 4 block assists to anchor the front line. Jaiden Flanagan delivered a solid all-around performance with 12.5 points, recording 9 kills on 29 attempts with a .103 hitting percentage, a team-high 7 digs, and an impressive 5 block assists. Zeke Clark provided consistent offensive firepower with 11 points on 10 kills (25 total attacks, .280 hitting percentage) and added 6 digs, while Braden Escover chipped in 13.5 points with 10 kills and 3 block assists. Timothy Fletcher was the catalyst for the Chargers’ attack, distributing 35 assists while contributing 4.5 points, 4 digs, and 3 block assists. Devin Galloway added 6.5 points with 2 kills, 1 dig, 2 block solos, and 5 block assists in a stellar defensive effort. For Marymount, Brady Wiggers was outstanding with a team-high 20 points, hammering down 16 kills on 29 total attacks with a .379 hitting percentage while adding 4 digs and 2 block assists. Sam Cook fought hard with 11.5 points on 11 kills and 8 errors (30 attacks, .100 hitting percentage) and 5 digs, while Bryce Schkeeper contributed 8 points with 6 kills and 4 block assists. Diego Pena orchestrated the Saints’ offense with 34 assists and added 6.5 points. The Saints have struggled thus far this season opening at 1-3.
In a dominant display of offensive firepower, UC Santa Cruz swept Concordia Wisconsin 3-0 (25-12, 25-21, 25-17) with a balanced and relentless attack that overwhelmed the Falcons from start to finish. Riley Norman was absolutely electric for UC Santa Cruz, leading all players with a game-high 18 points on a spectacular performance that included 12 kills on 19 total attacks with a .474 hitting percentage. He added 3 digs, 1 block solo, and 5 service aces that kept the Concordia defense off balance throughout the match. Ney Fisher provided excellent support with 12 points, recording 6 kills on a .200 hitting percentage (10 attacks) while adding 2 digs, 1 block solo, and a team-leading 5 service aces. AJ Contreras contributed 9 points with 8 kills on 21 attempts (.333 hitting percentage) and 1 dig, while Evan Erickson chipped in 8.5 points with 7 kills (.364 hitting percentage), 3 digs, 1 block solo, and 1 block assist. Nick Nayak added 5.5 points with 4 kills on an impressive .429 hitting percentage, 3 digs, 1 block solo, and 1 block assist. The offensive distribution came from Logan Taylor, who orchestrated the Banana Slugs’ attack with 19 assists and 8 digs, while Caro Valente added 12 assists and 1 dig. The Banana Slugs rolled up 75 total points compared to Concordia’s 50, showcasing their superiority with 38 kills against just 24 for their opponents. UC Santa Cruz posted a solid .316 hitting percentage while limiting Concordia to .115, and they controlled the service game with 11 aces while the Falcons managed just 4. The Banana Slugs also demonstrated defensive prowess with 31 digs and 5 block solos to Concordia’s 2. Concordia Wisconsin fought hard behind Parker Butterfass, who led the Falcons with 9 points on 4 kills (8 attacks, .500 hitting percentage), 2 block solos, and 2 service aces. Owen Kolozsy contributed 7 points with 7 kills on 21 attempts and 1 dig, while Tate Miller added 3 points with 3 kills and a team-high 4 digs.
NJCU secured an impressive 3-1 victory over Widener in a compelling four-set battle (25-17, 14-25, 25-19, 25-15). The Gothic Knights commanded the match with authority, dominating the statistical categories with 89 total points compared to Widener’s 76, while their offensive attack generated 41 kills and relentless defensive pressure throughout the evening. NJCU excelled at the service line with 6 aces while maintaining composure with just 11 service errors, and they controlled the net with an imposing 8 total blocks compared to Widener’s 3. For NJCU, Marcus Pardasie delivered a spectacular performance with a game-high 20.5 points, hammering down 18 kills on 38 total attacks with an efficient .342 hitting percentage while adding 5 digs and 1 block assist. Amaru Perales provided a dynamic two-way effort with 8.5 points, including 5 powerful kills on a .231 hitting percentage, along with 3 digs and an impressive 3 block solos that shut down opposing attacks. Mike McGehee showcased his versatility with a stellar 8.5 points (7 kills, 3 block solos) and 8 digs, while Victor De Souza chipped in a valuable 9 points with 5 kills. Nas Peige was a defensive force, anchoring the back row with a match-high 10 digs to go along with 4 kills and 4 points. Alex Casais orchestrated the Gothic Knights’ balanced attack brilliantly, distributing 31 assists to keep the Widener defense off balance. For Widener, Christian Steinbreaker was exceptional with a team-high 13.5 points, recording 10 kills on a solid .174 hitting percentage while adding a team-best 2 block solos. Stephen Marquis battled hard with 12.5 points and 10 kills, while Jason Sandberg distributed a remarkable 35 assists to fuel the Wildcats’ attack. Despite the determined effort, Widener struggled with 20 attack errors and a .212 team hitting percentage that proved costly in the loss.
Elizabethtown pulled off a stunning 3-1 upset victory over Arcadia in a four-set battle that defied expectations. The Blue Jays rose to the occasion with exceptional play across the board, outscoring the Knights 95-86. Elizabethtown maintained a steady .190 hitting percentage against Arcadia’s .142, and they controlled the net game with an impressive 15 total blocks (3 solos, 24 assists) compared to just 7 for the Knights. The Blue Jays also edged out their opponents with 7 service aces to 6 while playing solid defense with 51 digs. The heroics for Elizabethtown came from multiple sources, with Braydon Ambruster delivering a monster performance of 21 points that included 18 kills on 45 total attacks with a .267 hitting percentage, 6 digs, and 1 block solo. Logan Smith was equally spectacular with 18.5 points, hammering down 13 kills on 33 attempts (.212 hitting percentage) while adding a team-high 10 digs, 1 block solo, and an impressive 7 block assists. Max Sears provided exceptional work at the net with 8.5 points, recording 4 kills and a remarkable 9 block assists, while Cole Burkhardt chipped in 5.5 points with 3 kills on a .750 hitting percentage and 3 block assists. Patrick Neyer orchestrated the Blue Jays’ attack with 38 assists while contributing 7 digs, 1 block solo, 4 block assists, and 4 points. Doke Hsien distributed 1 assist and added 18 digs to anchor the back row defense. Despite the loss, Arcadia received strong performances from Tucker Curtis, who led all scorers with 12.5 points on 12 kills (35 attacks, .171 hitting percentage) and 5 digs. Josh Clendening contributed 11 points with 10 kills and 5 digs, while Roscoe Dodd added 11 points with 9 kills on an impressive .421 hitting percentage. Luke Erickson chipped in 9 points with 4 kills, 2 digs, 3 block solos, and 4 block assists. Arcadia has a very rough road ahead, facing Rutgers, MIT, and NYU next and likely headed for an 0-4 start.