ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Golden Flyers opened the 2022 season with a pair of three-set victories as Nazareth defeated visiting Geneva and Hilbert. In its opening match against Geneva, grad student Antonio Sargent led all players with 18 kills for a .414 hitting percentage. The scores were 25-18, 25-17, 25-18. In the evening match against Hilbert, the Golden Flyers used a balanced scoring attack to overwhelm the Hawks as 10 players recorded kills, led by sophomore Owen Wickens with seven.

With the victories, Nazareth opens the season 2-0 overall. After falling to the Golden Flyers in its first match, Geneva rebounded to defeat Hilbert to even its record at 1-1. The Hawks start the season 0-2 after the losses. Nazareth has two more matches Saturday. The Golden Flyers host Medaille at 10 a.m. and 12th-ranked Juniata at 8 p.m.

Against Geneva, Nazareth hit an efficient .405 from the outside (43-13-74), led by Sargent, who totaled seven kills in the opening set. Junior Nate Allen added eight kills and six aces and Wickens contributed six kills, 26 assists and eight digs.

After winning the first set, Nazareth fell behind in sets two and three before rallying to win in convincing style. Freshman Josh Weaver also came through with five kills.

In the match against Hilbert, Wickens finished hitting .600 with his seven kills and one error on 10 attempts. Wickens also contributed 12 assists to help direct the Golden Flyers' attack. Senior Matt Zarzycki and freshmen Alex Bertino tallied six kills apiece. Freshmen Max Stuver and Anthony Caimano combined for nine additional kills. Senior Jason Proud finished with a match-high 21 assists, and Bertino amassed a match-high 12 digs.

The Golden Flyers finished with 12 service aces, including six from Bertino and two apiece from senior Jonathon Jackson and sophomore Ethan Swiatek.

Defensively, the Golden Flyers frustrated the Hawks by holding Hilbert to 17 kills with 12 hitting errors on 76 attempts for a .066 hitting percentage.