Matkowski Totals Double Double in Loss at No. 13 EMU

Box score
HARRISONBURG, Va. - Stevenson University men's volleyball sophomore Jason Matkowski (Warminster, Pa./William Tennent) totaled his second double double of the season, but Eastern Mennonite had 31 total blocks and 69 digs as the 13th-ranked Royals posted a 3-1 victory Monday night at Yoder Arena.
The win snapped a three-match losing streak for Eastern Mennonite (8-7, 4-1 NECVA West) and was its second in as many against the Mustangs this season. The Royals swept Stevenson at Student Union Gymnasium back on February 3.
Matkowski, who tied his career-high with 16 kills, led three Mustangs who had 10 or more kills. He also added 12 digs and six total blocks.
Senior J.R. Jackson (Havre de Grace/Havre de Grace) had 10 or more kills for the 11th time in 13 matches this season with 14 while junior David Lloyd (Germantown/Seneca Valley) added 10 kills.
The Mustangs (7-6, 1-3 NECVA West) dropped the first two games by a combined 15 points before battling back to take the third 35-33 after totaling 23 kills and a .316 hitting percentage.
However, Stevenson committed 14 errors in the fourth game against just nine kills in dropping its fifth match this season to a nationally ranked opponent.
Junior Steve Grossnickle (Perry Hall/Calvert Hall) and junior Ben Leatherman (Glen Arm/Calvert Hall) each posted their fourth 10-plus dig performance of the season with 11 and 10, respectively.
Freshman Dean Massimini (Washington Township, N.J./Washington Township) totaled 45 assists and senior Ryan McDowell (Germantown/Seneca Valley) had three kills and six total blocks.
Cody Kennedy had 20 kills and 10 digs to lead the Royals while John Bottles also had a double double with 12 kills and 11 digs.
Stevenson travels to Lancaster Bible for two matches against the Chargers and York (N.Y.) before returning home on Saturday for two matches.









