they are progressing well.
After starting the season 0-3, the Stevenson boys volleyball team (6-4) has won six of its past seven games, including three straight. The Mustangs will look to continue their good run and get their fourth straight win against Widener on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Owings Mills Gymnasium.
“Every conference game is important,” first-year coach Jason Gardner said. “This first game against Widener is important. I want to make sure I'm focused and ready for it.”
The Mustangs are gaining momentum heading into Middle Atlantic Conference play. Their most recent win was against Randolph-Macon on Feb. 22 at Owings Mills Gymnasium.
Stephenson led 10-5 early in the first set, led by junior outside hitter Tim Flanagan, who had two of his 18 total kills at that point. She has 158 kills so far this season, averaging 4.79 kills per set, the third-highest kill total in the nation. Flanagan was named the MAC Player of the Week on February 5th.
Stephenson increased its lead to 16-10, forcing Randolph-Macon to call a timeout. The Mustangs took the first set 25-19 and appeared to have the upper hand defensively thanks to the efforts of freshman libero Tanner Rauchaf and Flanagan.
But Randolph-Macon thrived in the second set, jumping out to an early 5-1 lead before Stevenson showed his defensive prowess again to tie the score at 5-5. Late in the set, Randolph-Macon went on a 6-0 run to take a 17-11 lead, forcing a timeout for the Mustangs.
Stevenson continued to fight in the second set, coming back from behind multiple times to cut the score to 24-22. The Mustangs outgained two more set points and added two more to win the set 26-24. Designated server Micah Earnest was at the serving line for the final four points.
In the third set, Stephenson picked up where he left off in the second set and fought his way to a 10-6 lead. The Mustangs never relinquished the lead, leading by five points multiple times throughout the set. Randolph Macon was unable to close the gap and the Stangs clinched the sweep 25-22.
“I thought it was a great win for us,” Gardner said after the game.
