Elms Blazes Past Wentworth, Lasell

Chicopee, MA- The Blazers of Elms College cruised to a 2-0 sweep of Wentworth Institute of Technology and Lasell College on Saturday at the Maguire Center in a NECVA men's volleyball tri-match.  The Leopards split the day, winning their match with Lasell in a hard fought five set match; 32-30, 29-31, 30-24, 18-30, 17-15. Lasell finished the day with at and even 6-6 mark, remaining 3-2 in NECVA GNAC.

Lasell's first match was the five set brawl with Wentworth, which came down to the wire but ended in a defeat of the Lasers.  Four Lasers ended in double-figures for kills, with David Rogers (Belchertown, Mass.) and Andy Cass (Wakefield, RI) leading the offense with 14 kills apiece. Cass matched his fourteen kills with fourteen digs and also put down six blocks, including five solo blocks.   Dustin Foster (Ashford, Conn.) also knocked down 11 kills and combining for 6 blocks for Lasell.

Senior libero Joseph Lipski (Burlington, Conn.) had a fantastic 19 digs in the match, defending the Lasers court from the Leopards attack.  Freshman setter Brendan McGourn (Southington, Conn.) had fifty assists in the contest, also contributing 11 kills, six blocks, and four digs for an all around great performance.

After falling to the Leopards in five sets, the Lasers then matched up with the hosting Blazers (6-7, 4-2 NECVA New England). Elms outside hitter Sanchez Velez posted a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs and Alberto Bravo added 11 kills, hitting .476, and blocked five balls.  The Blazers took the match 30-17, 30-18, 30-20.

Dustin Foster put down a team high eight kills, and McGourn distributed 19 assists.  Trevor Foster (Ashford, Conn.) and Dave Rogers each had six kills a piece, and Lipski and Cass each picked up six digs in the defeat.

Lasell returns to action on Monday, February 16th at home against Daniel Webster College at 7:00 p.m.