FREDERICK, Md. – The Neumann University Men's Volleyball team open the 2025 campaign with two wins as they defeated Hood College in five sets and took down Bryn Athyn College in straight sets.
Neumann started off the first set of the day with a 5-2 stretch, but Hood came back to take their own lead with four straight points. Both teams traded points until, with the score even at nine, the Blazers grabbed a three-point lead. The Knights came back with their own three-point stretch to equalize in a very tight start to the match. With Hood up 14-12, Neumann scored 10 of the next 11 points to pull away by seven. on their way to a 25-17 win.
The second set started as a different story as Hood went on a 14-5 tear to force a timeout. Although the Knights got the first point after the timeout, the Blazers went on a 4-0 run to pull away further at 18-6. Neumann put a score into their opponents, thanks to a 7-5 push but ultimately dropped the set, 25-13.
In the third set, Hood moved out to a 10-5 lead. Neumann got within a couple of points throughout the later stages of the set but the Blazer eventually led by six, 23-17. The Knights tried to claw back into it with a 4-0 run but Hood scored the last two points for a 25-21 win and a 2-1 set lead.
Hood looked like they would run away with the match in the fourth as they charged to a 6-2 advantage. They continued to press the play and pushed the lead to 10-4. Neumann scored five of the next six points before the Blazers again extended the lead to five. From there, the Knights went on a tear as they grabbed a 10-2 run to lead 19-16. Hood came back to tie the game at 19 but Neumann again asserted themselves and force a deciding fifth set with a 25-20 win.
The Knights continued the momentum as they started the fifth with a 6-3 edge. They traded points throughout the set but with the set a 10-7, Neumann rattled off the next five points to clinch the set, 15-7, and the match, 3-2.
Trey Edmonds led the way with 22 kills and 10 digs.
Veryl Burns had eight kills, nine block assists, and a block solo to go with two service aces.
Christian Johnson led the Knights with 28 assists to go with his six digs.
Christian DeMarco had 13 digs while
JP Perdomo had 12.
The turnaround was quick, and the momentum stayed with the Knights in the opening plays of their match against Bryn Athyn as they took an 11-5 lead. After a quick Lions point, Neumann went off on a 5-0 run to pull away. They closed out the set with a 4-1 push and took the opener, 25-14.
The second was no different as the Knights grabbed an early 8-1 lead. With the score at 13-7, Bryn Athyn scored five of six to pull back within two, but with a score at 17-14, Neumann went on a 5-2 run stretch. The Lions made it 24-20 with a 4-1 run but the Knights were able to secure the last point.
For the second consecutive set, Neumann started off with an 8-1 run. This time, they did not relent as they dominated throughout, scoring two points to the Lions one until it was a 14-7 lead. From there, an 11-3 run close out the set and the match.
Edmonds again led with 11 kills while Burns had eight. Johnson helped with 21 assists and two service aces. DeMarco led the defensive effort with seven digs and Perdomo had six.
Neumann (2-0) will return to action on Tuesday when they visit Widener for a 7:00 PM start.
