AMHERST, N.Y. – The Daemen University men's volleyball team defeated American International College, 3-0, to earn their third consecutive victory without dropping a set in intercollegiate men's volleyball action Saturday afternoon at Lumsden Gymnasium.
With the win, the Wildcats improved to 6-3 while the Yellow Jackets dropped to 2-9.
IMPACT PLAYERS
• Sophomore setter
Bradyn Winters (Corapolis, Pa.) led Daemen with 31 assists while redshirt freshman right side
Patrick Mullen (Farmingdale, N.J.) provided a team-best 10 kills.
• At the service line, Mullen also led the way with a team-best three aces.
• Redshirt freshman outside hitter
Eddie Kwarciak (Grand Island, N.Y.) tallied two block solos and team-best six digs. He also notched eight kills as well.
• Sophomore outside hitter
Jack Rooney (Lakeview, N.Y.) put down six kills and paired that with a service ace to aid in the Wildcats victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
• Daemen controlled the match early as they tallied four service aces to command a 15-11 lead at the media timeout. Out of the break, the Wildcats continued to attack the Yellow Jackets, using an 8-3 run midway through the frame to help seal the 25-16 first set victory. Daemen hit at a .333 (11-4-21) clip in the opening frame compared to -.385 (1-6-13) hitting percentage for AIC.
• In the second set, the Wildcats pounced on the Yellow Jackets and commanded an early 9-5 lead to force a timeout from the visitors. Mullen paced the early attack with three kills. Out of the break, Daemen continued to extend their advantage, pushing it to as much as eight, 19-11. AIC attempted one last comeback in the second set, cutting their 'Cats lead to just two, 23-21, but Daemen sealed the set victory and a 2-0 match lead after back-to-back kills.
• Tied 8-8 in the third frame, the Wildcats found some breathing room as a Mullen kill ignited an 8-1 spurt that put Daemen ahead 16-9. Despite a late 5-1 run for AIC, it was not enough as Daemen kept the visitors at bay and sealed the 25-19 set victory and 3-0 sweep with a kill Rooney (Lakeview, N.Y.) to end the day.
• Daemen posted a hitting percentage of .327 (41-16-87) to end the afternoon while AIC hit at a clip of -.032 (17-19-63).
GAME NOTES
• Today marked the seventh all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Yellow Jackets. Daemen has won all seven meetings as well.
• Daemen tallied five service aces in the first set. Yesterday against Central State, the 'Cats had three service aces total.
• Mullen notched three-or-more service aces in a match for the first time in his collegiate career.
• Daemen held an opponent to a negative hitting percentage for the first time since April 4, 2024, when they limited Roberts Wesleyan to a -.013 hitting percentage.
• Today was the last home game for Daemen until April 5. They 'Cats will spend the next 42 days on the road with nine road matches spanning five states.
UP NEXT
The Wildcats will travel to nearby Rochester next Thursday, Feb. 27 to play at Roberts Wesleyan University in a 7 PM match up.
Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.
Follow the Daemen men's volleyball program on Twitter and Instagram at @DaemenMVB.
