FREDERICK, Md. – The Gallaudet University men's volleyball turned in its best performance of the season thus far as the Bison traveled to Hood College here Thursday evening. The Bison pushed the Blazers to five sets but lost, 3-2.

Gallaudet (0-5) won the second and fourth sets to force the fifth and final set. Hood (3-7) held on to win the match 25-18, 25-27, 25-19, 21-25, 15-10 in the Volpe Athletic Center.

First-year opposite Zachary Bippus (Fishers, Ind.) posted a career-high 17 kills on 41 swings and eight errors (.220 hitting percentage) and made three blocks. First-year outside hitter Ben Beyer (Janesville, Wis.) was the other Bison in double figures with 11 kills and six digs.

First-year libero Elian Zfati (Brooklyn, N.Y.) made a team-high 12 digs while middle hitter Tyler Wascher (Noblesville, Ind.) led the buff and blue with four aces and five blocks. Wascher also posted the highest hitting percentage as he completed 5-of-10 swings with only one error (.400 percent).

Hood was led by Charles Casas' 29-kill and 14-dig performance. Blazer teammate Sean Seely was close behind with 25 kills in the win.

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Gallaudet travels to Altoona, Pa., this Saturday, Feb. 8, to play two non-conference contests against Randolph College (1-6) and Penn St.-Altoona (4-4) at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.