GENEVA, NY - The Nazareth men's volleyball team (7-2) started the Hobart Invitational out strong by defeating Trine (3-5) 3-1, inside Bristol Gym Saturday afternoon. The Golden Flyers have two more matches to finish out the weekend in Geneva, NY. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Nazareth and Trine battled point-for-point throughout the opening set, trading momentum into the late stages. With the score tied 23-23, the Golden Flyers string together back-to-back points to close the frame, 25-23. 

• The Golden Flyers took control early in the second set, building separation midway through the frame. Trine attempted to rally late, but Nazareth maintained its edge and secured the set, 25-20, to move ahead 2-0. 

• Trine responded in the third set, winning extra points after neither side could create separation. Trine briefly held set point, but Nazareth answered and outlasted Trine, 29-30. 

• Nazareth came back in the fourth set. The Golden Flyers pulled away late, scoring the final points needed to seal the match, 25-17, and to take the 3-1 victory. 

GAME NOTES 

• Ryan Murphy led the Golden Flyers with 17 kills while adding a block. 

• Tristan Henderson followed with 11 kills and a block. 

• AJ Burda chipped in 8 kills and three service aces. He had a team-high of 41 assists, guiding Nazareth to a total of 52 kills.

• Gavin Sweet with a team-best 12 digs. 

• Joe Seilger and Sean Frawley added five digs each.

• Nazareth finished with advantages in kills (52-46), aces (7-0), assists (51-41), and digs (37-30), hitting .222 as a team. 

UP NEXT

Nazareth faces New Jersey City University, Sunday, Feb. 1 at the Hobart Invitational. First serve is slated for 11 a.m. in Geneva, NY.