2/8/26
The Wilson Phoenix men’s volleyball team is writing a new chapter in program history. With a perfect 5-0 record to open the 2026 season, including an unblemished 15-0 mark in sets, the Phoenix are experiencing their finest start since the program’s inception. They are the only team in the country that has not lost a set in 2026.
Under the guidance of head coach Aaron Hoke and assistant coach Zach McMaster, Wilson has taken care of business in their early season matchups. The Phoenix have been sharp and focused, sweeping every opponent they’ve faced and building valuable momentum as they continue to develop.
A Perfect Beginning
The season opened on January 24 with back-to-back home victories over University of Valley Forge and Hood College, both straight-set wins that got the Phoenix off to a confident start. Wilson followed up with another home doubleheader sweep on January 31, taking down Mount Aloysius College and King’s College. Most recently, the Phoenix traveled to Penn State Schuylkill on February 6 and continued their winning ways with their fifth consecutive 3-0 victory.
While these early-season opponents provided Wilson with opportunities to develop and build chemistry, the Phoenix have executed well and taken care of business. The unblemished 15-0 set record is something to be proud of, regardless of the competition level.
Offensive Firepower
The statistics show a team that has executed well in their early matchups. Wilson is averaging 16.67 points per set while holding opponents to 6.6 points per set, numbers that reflect solid performance against their early schedule.
At the heart of Wilson’s attack is outside hitter Ryan Koontz, who has been the team’s most productive player. The junior from Red Land High School leads the team with 41 kills on a strong .356 hitting percentage. Koontz is averaging 3.15 kills per set and has contributed 52 total points, including nine service aces. His consistency has made him a reliable option in Wilson’s offensive scheme. Right behind Koontz is sophomore outside hitter Jackson Wolfe from New Oxford, who has been efficient in his opportunities. Wolfe is posting 30 kills with an impressive .520 hitting percentage and averaging 4.2 points per set. His smart play and finishing ability have complemented Koontz nicely.
The middle blocking tandem of senior Jacob McCoy and senior Demetrius Simmons has provided solid contributions. McCoy, a Spring Grove graduate, leads all middles with 26 kills on an outstanding .684 hitting percentage. Simmons, from Mechanicsburg, adds 21 kills and continues to be a steady presence at the net. Outside hitter Scotty Zorn, a freshman from Dallastown, has made a positive first impression with 22 kills and a .283 hitting percentage, showing promise for the future.
Setting the Table
Behind every great attack is a great setter, and Wilson has found their maestro in sophomore Satvik Sharma from Hershey. Sharma has orchestrated the offense to perfection, dishing out 80 assists (8.89 per set) while also contributing eight service aces and three kills. His court vision and decision-making have been instrumental in distributing the ball to Wilson’s array of weapons.
Senior setter Vincent Natale from Linganore has provided valuable contributions as well, adding 36 assists and demonstrating the Phoenix’s depth at the position.
Serving Up Wins
One positive aspect of Wilson’s undefeated start has been their effectiveness from the service line. The Phoenix have recorded 57 service aces in 15 sets, an average of 3.8 aces per set, while limiting opponents to just 11 aces.
Senior Demetrius Simmons leads the way with 14 aces, while Koontz has added nine and Sharma eight. The ability to score points from the service line has been a nice complement to Wilson’s offensive attack.
Defensive Excellence
Wilson’s defense has also been solid in the early going, holding opponents to a -.029 hitting percentage while the Phoenix are attacking at a .372 clip. The libero duo of Camden Sterner and Adan Rodriguez-Sapien has provided stability in the back row, while the team’s overall defensive efforts have been encouraging.
The Coaching Factor
This success doesn’t happen by accident. Aaron Hoke, now in his third full season as head coach after being named interim coach in January 2022, has built something special in Chambersburg. A 2019 Wilson graduate and one of the most decorated players in program history, Hoke knows what it takes to succeed in a Phoenix uniform. He still holds program records for career kills (1,043), attacks (3,064), and points (1,195) from his playing days.
Since taking over as head coach, Hoke has steadily elevated the program. After going 6-13 in 2022 and 8-15 in both 2023 and 2024, last season saw a breakthrough with a 14-13 record and an impressive 7-1 conference mark. Now, with the experience gained and the foundation laid, the Phoenix are soaring to new heights. Assistant coach Zach McMaster deserves recognition as well for his role in developing this talented group and helping create the culture of excellence that’s evident in every match.
Looking Ahead
The real tests lie ahead, with upcoming matches against Arcadia University, Virginia Wesleyan, Bridgewater College, and a home showdown with Widener University. As the schedule progresses and Wilson faces different levels of competition, we’ll learn more about this team’s capabilities. The Phoenix will also see Hood College and University of Valley Forge again later in the season, this time on the road, along with a full slate of conference matches that will truly define their season.
What matters most is that Wilson has built confidence, developed chemistry, and established good habits early. The coaching staff has this team playing together and executing their system. That foundation will serve them well as the competition inevitably gets tougher.
The 2026 season is still young, and there’s much volleyball left to be played. What the Wilson Phoenix have accomplished in these first five matches is worth celebrating. They’ve shown improvement, built on last season’s progress, and given their fans reason to be excited. We can’t wait to see how this group continues to grow as the season unfolds. The Phoenix are off to their best start ever, and it’s going to be fun watching where this journey takes them. Go Phoenix!
