ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's volleyball team won a five-set thriller over Pratt Institute on Wednesday evening in United East action.
Trey Edmonds led the Knights with 26 kills and a .277 hitting percentage. The junior also added 12 digs and four service aces.
Isaiah Thomas tallied 13 kills and 16 digs.
John Soeffing added seven kills.
Noah Banaag handed out 45 assists and 11 digs.
Arian Santos finished with 11 digs.
Aaron Williams notched five block assists.
Each set went back-and-forth as the teams played out five sets. Down 10-6 in the first set, the Knights tied the set at 10, capitalizing on some Cannoneers miscues. Pratt answered with the next six points. With the Cannoneers holding a 23-17 advantage, the Knights scored the next four points, capped on a service ace by Thomas, to pull with two. The teams traded the next three points for the 25-22 set one final.
The Knights jumped out to an early 4-1 lead in set two. Each team went on some mini runs and were knotted at 22 late in the set. After Pratt service error, Edmonds tallied a service ace for a 24-22 lead. The Cannoneers scored the next three points for a 25-24 edge. An Edmonds kill started three straight points for Neumann and a 27-25 set two win to tie the match at one.
Set three was much like the first two with the teams trading runs and leads. Leading 22-20, Neumann scored the next two points, including a kill from Thomas, for set point. Pratt was able to tally the next two points before committing a service error and the Knights took set three 25-22.
In the fourth set, while the Knights were leading 14-12, the Cannoneers scored six straight points for an 18-14 advantage. With the score 20-15, Neumann rattled off the next four to pull within one. The Knights were not able to score the key point and Pratt took set four 25-22 to force a fifth set.
In the fifth and deciding set, the Cannoneers took and early 5-3 lead. The Knights scored the next five points, including three kills from Edmonds, for an 8-5 score as the team switched sides. The teams traded points down the stretch. Edmonds sealed the Knights win with a kill and a 15-12 set five win.
Neumann (3-9, 1-2 United East) remains at home and will host Gallaudet on Friday evening. The United East match gets underway at 7:30 PM.
