BUFFALO, NY (nazathletics.com) - The Nazareth Men's Volleyball team closed out the 2026 season Saturday afternoon at the Bengal Invitational with a doubleheader matchup vs Juniata and Buffalo State. The Golden Flyers caped the season off with a record of 13-17 overall. 

MATCH ONE - JUNIATA 3, NAZARETH 0

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Golden Flyers and the Eagles clashed back and forth early on as they exchanged the lead six times in the first set. The Golden Flyers put the pressure on Juniata as they would gain a margin midway through the first set. Sean Frawley and AJ Burda recorded multiple kills to help hold the Nazareth lead. Juniata capitalized on Golden Flyer attack and service errors as they came from behind late to win the first set 25-22. 
• Nazareth looked to bounce back in the second set, but the Eagles rallied early on in the set to gain a large lead on Nazareth. The Golden Flyers kept fighting as they would earn some points from Juniata errors, but the Eagles continued to roll and take the second set 25-16.
• The third set began a lot like the first set of the game. Nazareth and Juniata exchanged lead changes eight times early on in the set. Nazareth rallied later on with help from Ryan Murphy and Quinn Ringstad, but a late run from Juniata was the deciding factor as they took the set by a score of 25-17 and swept the first match of the afternoon in three sets. 

MATCH NOTES

• AJ Burda led the charge for Nazareth as he would notch nine kills and 11 assists. 
• Sean Frawley finished the match with six kills
• Gavin Sweet finished with eight digs 

MATCH TWO: BUFFALO STATE 3, NAZARETH 0 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams chased each other back and forth early on, but an early rally from the Bengals was the deciding factor in the first set as Nazareth could not find a way to respond. Buffalo State took the first set by a score of 25-17. 
• Nazareth started off the second set with a major rally scoring five unanswered points off attack errors and service aces. Nazareth held the lead through most of the second set, but a relentless effort from Buffalo State closed the Golden Flyer lead. Nazareth and the Bengals exchanged the lead four times late in the second set, but ultimately the home court Bengals rallied in the extended set to win 27-25. 
• The Golden Flyers started the third set off strong as they lead early on. A relentless Buffalo State, however, was always right on the tail of the Golden Flyers. Both teams battled back and forth throughout the set that was a nail bitter all the way to the finish. The Bengals pulled away late in the set to win 25-23 to take the match 3-0. 

GAME NOTES

• Sean Frawley and Ryan Murphy lead the charge offensively with eight and seven kills, respectively
• AJ Burda finished with 21 assists in his last collegiate game. 
• Gavin Sweet and Burda led the team in digs as Sweet finished with six and Burda with seven.

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