GENEVA, N.Y. –The Hobart volleyball team improved to 3-0 in UVC play as it swept Nazareth 3-0 this evening in Bristol Gym. With the win, the Statesmen move to 9-9 overall, while the Golden Flyers fall to 9-10 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.
 
Hobart held the advantage in the crucial conference matchup as it tallied 38 kills (.233) compared to Nazareth's 29 kills (.076). The Statesmen held a 34-30 edge in digs against the Golden Flyers and tallied 14 blocks compared to Nazareth's four. Hobart also held a 5-4 advantage in service aces in the win.
 
First-year Harry Fromberg led the Statesmen with 11 kills (.450) in the sweep. He added two digs and a block in the win as well. Juniors Daniel Sappia (.167) and Noah DeLong (.538) chipped in seven kills each against the Golden Flyers. Sappia added three digs and a solo block, while DeLong recorded seven blocks, including two solo, and four digs. Sophomore Kian Kischke added six kills (.125), six blocks, and four service aces in the sweep.
 
Nazareth was led by Joe Seliger's seven kills (.000). Quintin Chiles (.188) and Sean Frawley (.091) chipped in six kills each in the loss and combined for 10 digs, two aces and one block. Aj Burda led the Golden Flyers from the setter position, dishing out 19 assists and adding 11 digs, one block and two kills.

MATCH MOMENTS:

• Hobart and Nazareth traded the early points as each side put down 11 kills in the opening set. The Statesmen found crucial points from its block and from the service line early as the Golden Flyers racked up eight hitting errors, handing Hobart a 25-23 win in set one.
• The Statesmen continued on their momentum into the second set as they combined for a match-high 15 kills (.273) while holding the Golden Flyers to a match-low eight kills (.059). Despite Nazareth grabbing the early lead, Hobart fought back and forced the set to extra points. A strong service run by sophomore Alain Malcolm would help the Statesmen close out set two on top 27-25.
• Hobart would close out the sweep with another impressive performance in the third set as the Statesmen combined for 12 kills (.194) compared to the Golden Flyers' 10 (.067). Once again, Hobart found crucial points from its block and from the service line to force Nazareth out of system often. A DeLong kill would close out set three in favor of the Statesmen 25-22.

MATCH STATS:

• Fromberg led the way with 11 kills (.450), while Sappia (.167) and DeLong (.538) added seven kills each. Kischke chipped in six kills (.125) out of the middle, while junior Aiden Kemora added four and  Malcolm added three (.429).
• First-year Tor Boughal and junior Zack Farren led the Statesmen from the setter position and tallied 18 and 14 assists each, respectively. The duo combined for 10 digs in the sweep.
• Hobart combined for 34 digs as a team and were led by Farren's six digs. Boughal, Malcolm, DeLong and first-year Maxwell Stotsky added four digs each, while Sappia, Kemora and first-year Tyler Lavell chipped in three each.
• The Statesmen dominated at the net and combined for 14 blocks as a team. DeLong led the way with seven blocks, while Kischke added six. Malcolm chipped in four blocks, while Kemora added three.
• The Purple and Orange served up five aces in the win and were led by Kischke with four. Malcolm chipped in one ace in the win.

COACHES CORNER:
 
"We battled through adversity in every set tonight," said Head Coach Steve England. "We stepped up and executed when in key moments. I am so proud of the team's maturity. Going 3-0 in UVC play is amazing. Go Hobart!"
  
UP NEXT:
 
Hobart will be back in action Friday, March 13, when it travels to Elmira to continue UVC play. Action between the Statesmen and the Soaring Eagles is set for 6 p.m. in Speidel Gymnasium.