Lasell Men’s Volleyball loses two more at Nazareth Tournament

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – It was another tough day for the Lasell College men's volleyball team Saturday afternoon as the Lasers dropped two more matches in the Nazareth College Golden Flyer Invitational. The Lasers fell in straight sets to both Wells College and host Nazareth to finish the tournament winless in four attempts at Kidera Gymnasium. 

The Lasers were very competitive in the loss to Wells (10-5), falling by scores of 26-24, 25-18 and 25-21. Lasell led the first set 23-17 before Wells ran off seven straight point to take the lead, and after Lasell tied the set at 24-all, Wells scored two straight points to close out the set. The Lasers were within striking distance most of the third set, including being down just two points late in the set (22-20 and 23-21) before Wells secured the victory.

Sophomore Scott Sterenberg (Oceanside, N.Y.) recorded a season-high nine kills and nine digs in the match for the Lasers, while freshman Conor Leary-Watson (Bethany, Conn.) added eight kills and three blocks at the net. Sophomore Janci Soto (Lawrence, Mass.) also contributed five kills and four blocks as Lasell registered a season-best eight blocks as a team. Junior Jordan Aprea (Newington, Conn.) led the backcourt players with 13 digs.

Lasell gave another valiant effort in the setback to Nazareth (10-6), falling by set scores of 25-22, 25-10 and 25-20. The Lasers battled back from a four-point deficit in the first set to tie the score at 22-all, but the Golden Flyers answered with three straight points to take the set. The third set was very close, with Lasell leading early on and several lead changes; it was a 20-18 Nazareth lead before the home team outlasted the Lasers, 25-20.

It was a balanced attack for Lasell, with freshmen Aaron Waitekus (Norwood, Mass.), Brandon Kurina (Marlborough, Mass.) and Leary-Watson recording five kills each, with Waitekus also adding three blocks. Aprea had a busy match in the backcourt, making 17 digs.

The Lasers will look to turn things around this Wednesday, February 21, in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener at rival Wentworth Institute of Technology, beginning at 7:00 p.m. Lasell faces a tough challenge as Wentworth (9-4) is the defending GNAC champion and preseason favorite and is ranked 13th in the latest NCAA Division III national poll. 

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