BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Penn State Altoona men's volleyball nearly pulled off a comeback against Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference opponent Buffalo State University on Friday night, but the Lions ultimately came up short in a 3-2 loss against the Bengals in the Sports Arena. 

Buffalo State (24-3, 11-0 AMCC) appeared to be in control over the first two sets, winning 25-15 and 25-20. However, their grip on the match slipped in the third and fourth sets as Penn State Altoona (8-16, 6-5 AMCC) won by scores of 25-20 and 25-21. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Bengals were able to grind out the victory in the fifth set, winning 15-10.  

For the Lions, Caleb Fries (Altoona, PA/Altoona) put up a match-high 16 points off 11 kills, one service ace, three solo blocks, and two block assists. Lukas Weathersbee (Altoona, PA/Altoona) chipped in with 14 points off 12 kills, one service ace, and one solo block.  

Jack McKenna (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern Regional) had 7.5 points on six kills, one service ace, and one block assist to go along with 10 digs.  

Shawn Thomas (Bel Air, MD/C. Milton Wright) led the Lions in assists with 16, while Travis Johns (Elderton, PA/West Shamokin) contributed eight assists.  

Adam Chan (Framingham, MA/Framingham) led all players in digs with 12.  

Penn State Altoona jumped out to an early lead, leading 4-1 in the first set after a service ace by Axel Jimenez (Los Angeles, CA/Malibu) and errors by Buffalo State. The Bengals worked their way back into the set, leading at one point 10-6. The Lions tried to stay in the set, getting points from Weathersbee and off errors by Buffalo State, but it would not be enough as the Bengals rode their lead to win the first set 25-15.  

The second set started out tight, with there not being much to separate the two sides. The two teams exchanged points throughout most of the set, until the score was 18-17 in favor of the Bengals. After Penn State Altoona's 17th point, Buffalo State got four unanswered points to make the score 22-17. These four points proved critical as the Bengals got the three remaining points they needed to win the second set 25-20.  

Penn State Altoona started the third set looking to not get swept. Fries, Weathersbee, and Thomas all got points as the Lions built up a seven-point lead. Buffalo State tried to claw their way back, but errors and the Lions' offense made that impossible. Johns set McKenna for the set point, as the Lions won the third set 25-20.  

The fourth set started much like the first set. The Lions took a 12-8 lead, getting kills by Fries and capitalizing on errors committed by the Bengals. Buffalo State tried to make a comeback in the set, but Penn State Altoona kept growing the gap through their offense and serving. A block from Weathersbee gave the Lions an 18-12 lead. The Lions scored three unanswered points to take the fourth 25-21 and equalize the match at 2-2.  

The Lions started the fifth set on the front foot, scoring four unanswered points through a block by Ethan Wooldridge (Sinking Spring, PA/Wilson) and Fries as well as kills by McKenna and Fries. The Bengals replied by scoring seven unanswered points to take a 7-4 lead. The Lions fought back, but the gap would be too much as they lost in the final set 15-10. 

The Lions will play their final regular season match tomorrow, Saturday, April 4, when they take on Hilbert at 1:00 p.m. in Hamburg, N.Y.