BEAVER FALLS, Pa. - Bridgewater College men's volleyball took on the first ever career match with an ambitious energy but came up short in a tight contest in four sets to Geneva on the road Friday night. 

The Basics 

Score: Geneva Golden Tornadoes (GGT) 3, Bridgewater College Eagles (BCE) 1 

Records: BCE (0-1), GGT (1-1) 

How It Happened 

• Both sides entered the match with rushed tendencies, and early jitters consumed most of the action in the opening set. Bridgewater took advantage of Geneva's early serving struggles with six service errors in the first set alone. The Golden Tornadoes picked up the pace of play and strung together key offensive attacks to launch ahead until the Eagles continued to hold on late into the set and Seth Williams was handed the ball. The first set was winding down as GGT held a 22-17 lead, but Williams spotted open floor to stack back-to-back service aces and the Eagles surged ahead to a 7-1 scoring burst. Aiden Weaver smacked a kill to take a 24-23 lead and Williams answered again with a third service aces to take the first set, 25-23. 

• In the second set, Geneva settled in and leveled out their errant serves. A seven-point scoring run helped maintain a firm hold on the set for the Golden Tornadoes. Jovan Lapera stepped up to fire two kills in back-to-back sequences, but GGT continued to push forward and finished the set, 25-15. 

• The Eagles came back with more urgency in the third set and held stride with GGT until the halfway point. Geneva enlarged the lead to 11-7 from a five-point scoring rally and did not find much resistance the rest of the way. Another five-point run broke through to leave the set in Geneva's hands for a third set score of 25-13. 

• The early 3-0 run to open the fourth set put the following plays into easier motion for GGT. BCE pushed to keep in line but plays developed and succeeded. GGT held firm control of the momentum, drawing up a 14-5 lead. Jeffrey Prevost and Lapera put down strikes, although GGT carried on finishing out the first match of the program for the Eagles in four sets. 

Match Notes 

• The errors had set the Eagles back in the season opener, stacking up 29 errors in the stat sheet to Geneva's 16. 

• Jeffrey Prevost started out the season in a big way to post 14 kills and close as the game-high kills leader. 

• The Eagles found bright spots on close outs at the net, as BCE put up seven blocks to GGT's four. 

Up Next 

The Eagles are back in action tomorrow, Jan. 17 for a double-match encounter against Bethany in West Virginia and Chatham in Pittsburgh Pa. First serves are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 7 p.m.