ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University Men's Volleyball team celebrated its lone senior, Isaiah Thomas before defeating University of Valley Forge on Monday night, 3-0, earning the last playoff spot in the United East Conference playoffs.
 
The Knights were led by Thomas and his 15 kills. Trey Edmonds had six kills, 11 digs, and three service aces. John Soeffing and Aaron Williams had two solo blocks each and Noah Banaag had 28 assists.
 
Both teams traded points early in the first set, keeping things tight. With the score even at four, Neumann went on a 5-1 run to lead 9-5. The Patriots got the next point, and the Knights scored nine of the next 10 points to pull away for an 18-7 lead. Valley Forge fought back with a run of 5-1 but Neumann won the set, 25-16.
 
Neumann controlled the second set earning a 12-8 lead to start. They then went on an eight-point run to lead by 12. After a single point by Valley Forge, the Knights tallied the next five points for a dominant 25-9 win.
 
The third set was much of the same as Neumann took a 9-2 lead. The Patriots kept things close as they went on a five-point push to get within two at 13-11. The Knights were able to get ahead, 20-15 but Valley Forge did not go away quietly as they went on a 6-1 run to tie the set at 21. Neumann would finish the match off from there with four consecutive points, capped appropriately by the senior, Thomas with two straight kills.
 
Neumann (5-13, 3-5 United East), as the number six seed, will now head to the United East Conference tournament and will visit Cairn University in the First Round on Thursday.