Blanton and Patrick Shine with Career Performances in Home Court Triumph

PHOENIXVILLE, PA – February 9, 2026 – The University of Valley Forge men's volleyball team continued their winning ways, dominating Saint Elizabeth to extend their win streak to two matches.

The Patriots improved to 2-4 overall, showcasing the offensive firepower and defensive tenacity that has sparked their recent success.

The victory was highlighted by career performances from two key Patriots. Jayce Blanton set a new career high with 14 digs while adding 6 kills and 8.0 points, anchoring Valley Forge's defense throughout the match. Tyler Patrick orchestrated the offense to perfection, setting a career high with 22 assists while also contributing a kill and an ace for 2.0 points.

Isaiah Reece led all players with 13.5 points, hammering down 10 kills with just 4 errors on 23 attempts for a .261 hitting percentage. Reece also recorded 12 digs, 2 aces, and a block in another stellar all-around performance.

Drew White was nearly unstoppable at the net, posting 12.0 points on 9 kills with just 1 error for a team-best .533 hitting percentage. White also added 2 assists and 3 aces to his impressive stat line.

Ty Martin provided a crucial third offensive weapon with 8.0 points on 5 kills and 3 aces, while Dennis Lampreia contributed 3.0 points with a kill and 2 aces. The balanced attack resulted in 34 team kills, the Patriots' highest total this season.

Valley Forge's defense was suffocating throughout the night, recording 48 digs led by Blanton's career-high 14 and Reece's 12. The Patriots also served up 12 aces, with multiple players contributing to the aggressive serving attack.

Saint Elizabeth (0-3, 0-0 UEC) was paced by Kennedy Ibezim with 16.5 points (9 kills, 6 aces, 3 block assists) and Enock Joachim with 10.0 points (6 kills, 4 aces). However, the Eagles hit just .000 as a team (25 kills, 25 errors) and couldn't match Valley Forge's offensive efficiency.

After dropping the second set 20-25, Valley Forge responded with authority, taking the third set 25-14 before closing out the match with a 25-21 fourth-set victory. The resilience and mental toughness displayed by the Patriots showed a maturing team that refuses to fold under pressure.

With back-to-back victories under their belt, the Patriots have established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in United East Conference play. The combination of career performances from emerging players and continued excellence from veteran leaders has Valley Forge poised for a strong conference campaign.

Match Notes:

• Valley Forge wins second consecutive match
• Career-high 14 digs for Jayce Blanton
• Career-high 22 assists for Tyler Patrick
• Drew White hit .533, the highest single-match percentage for any Patriot this season
• Valley Forge recorded 48 team digs, a season high

Final Stats:

• Valley Forge: 34 kills, 24 assists, 12 aces, 2 blocks, 48 digs
• Saint Elizabeth: 25 kills, 19 assists, 13 aces, 1 block, 35 digs