SPRINGFIELD, OH – The Hilbert College men's volleyball team suffered a set of opening day defeats in the first day of the Jim Coleman annual volleyball tournament hosted by Wittenberg University today.

The Hawks fell to the hosts (25-8, 25-9, 25-15) in the 6pm game and then slipped in three sets against Cincinnati Christian University (25-11, 25-12, 25-15).

Michael Podgorny collected 12 kills in a set of matches while Nicholas Rice assisted on 16 of Hilbert's 25 kills on the day.

Wittenberg pushed to two quick wins before the Hawks put up a better fight in the third set. 

Michael Podgorny posted six kills, one service ace, a pair of blocks and led with six digs.  Nicholas Rice (three digs) dished a team-high five assists and Brandon Henry chipped in four digs.  Caleb Nellis added two blocks at the net.

The Hawks challenged Cincinnati Christian in the second match earning 11, 12 and 15 points but the Eagles finished with 40 kills while holding the Hawks to 18.

Rice dished for 11 assists shared between Podgorny (six kills), Adam Heftka (four) and Garrett Rehner (four).  Brandon Henry earned his first collegiate service ace in the evening match.

Hilbert (0-2) returns to Wittenberg tomorrow for a 3:30 pm contest against Southern Virginia University before they return to WNY for their first Buffalo Cup game at D'Youville College January 24.