AMHERST, N.Y.- In a war of attrition lasting nearly two and a half hours, the Daemen Wildcats defeated in-state rival St. John Fisher in five sets (26-24, 26-28, 17-25, 28-26, 15-11) at Lumsden Gymnasium Sunday afternoon.

Daemen's win in the back-and-forth, competitive match, improved their record to 5-2 on the season. Daemen also improved to 8-1 in their last nine home matches and are now on a three-match winning streak. The Wildcats, who compete as an independent member of NCAA Division II, have won 24 of their last 28 matches dating back to February 2020. Daemen entered the match ranked seventh in the Off The Block Division II Coaches Poll. 

St. John Fisher, a member of NCAA Division III and the United Volleyball conference, lost for only the second time this season, falling to 8-2. The Cardinals are ranked 14th in this week's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III National Poll.  

The first set was close the entire time, with neither team ever having more than a three-point lead. While down 24-21, Daemen went on a five-point run which was started by a kill from junior Jake Couzens (Hamburg, N.Y.), winning the opening set 26-24.

St. John Fisher won the next two sets, applying pressure to the Wildcats. The second set was back and forth, similar to the first, with a score of 25-25 before St. John Fisher won the set. The third set saw St. John Fisher win, 25-17.

The back-and-forth battle continued in the fourth set with the largest lead for either team being only four points. Junior Zach Schneider (Lockport, N.Y.) secured the set for the Wildcats and forced a fifth set with a serving ace.

The fifth set was just as competitive as the rest of the match, with both teams alternating scoring until Daemen went on a five-point run to take an 11-8 lead. A service error from St. John Fisher brought the final score to 15-11 and completed the comeback for the Wildcats. 

IMPACT PLAYERS 

• Schneider led the attack for the Wildcats with a team-high 12 kills and added two aces. 
• Junior Ryan Parker (Fairport, N.Y.) contributed to the winning effort with 10 kills and two aces. He also led the team with 10 digs, marking his first double-double of the season.  
• Grad student Ryan Patzer (Liverpool, N.Y.) had a solid all-around day, leading the team in aces (4) and assists (34). 
• Junior middle Jake Couzens (Hamburg, N.Y.) recorded nine kills without committing a hitting error. After he left with an injury in the fourth set, Parker Wade (Portland, Ore.) was inserted and he responded with some big plays. Wade tallied three kills - two in the fifth set - and a key service ace late in the match.

NEXT SERVE
Daemen returns to action on Saturday, February 12 when they host American International for a 1 p.m. match.