DALLAS, PA (February 20, 2025) -- The King's College men's volleyball team battled #16 Misericordia (14-7, 1-0 MAC) on Thursday night in their first Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) contest of the season. The Monarchs (8-6, 0-1 MAC) fell to the Cougars 3-0 in the Anderson Center.
 
King's had an early 9-4 lead to start the first set that included tallies by Logan Dougherty, Greg Bousquet, and Ben Maskiell. Though the hosts answered back with a 4-1 run to get within two of the Monarchs. The matchup went back-and-forth until it was tied at 19-19 when Misericordia made a three-point swing to take the lead. King's scored two tallies that included a block by Gavin Gilhool before falling 22-25.
 
It was neck-and-neck in the second set, but the Cougars maintained their control. The Monarchs created a 4-2 jolt to get within one of their competitors. Though Misericordia had every answer as every point King's tacked on, they would respond with another run. The Monarchs made a 5-2 jolt that comprised of Bousquet, Maskiell, and Gilhool to stay within reach of the hosts. After a late 6-1 burst, the Cougars took the second set 25-18.
 
King's came back with vengeance by beginning the third set with a 7-1 run thanks to Maskiell, Bousquet, and Dougherty. From then on Misericordia pestered the Monarchs by scoring two tallies for every point King's scored. It was 15-15 when the Cougars stole the lead by creating a 5-1 push. Though the Monarchs were not going down without a fight and rallied to get within three after a kill by Dougherty to make it 21-24. King's lost the third and final set 21-25.
 
Dougherty sparked the offense with 18 kills, nine digs, and a hitting percentage of .471. Maskiell collected 27 of the team's 28 assists, while adding three kills, an ace, and six digs. Bousquet gathered 10 digs, eight kills, and two aces. Gilhool had three blocks, three digs, and a kill to end the evening.
 
Misericordia's Jared Piontkowski produced 20 kills with six digs and two blocks. Anthony DePalma was right behind with 14 kills and 11 digs. Gannon DeFrain earned a double-double as he dished out 37 assists with 11 digs.
 
The Monarchs are back home in McGrane Gymnasium on Saturday, February 22^nd at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to take on Wilson and Bryn Athyn. The squad will host Eastern on Thursday, February 27^th at 7 p.m. for another MAC meeting.