Lasell Men’s Volleyball drops GNAC tri-match

BOSTON, Mass. – The Lasell College men's volleyball team suffered a pair of tough losses Saturday afternoon in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match at Andy Yosinoff Court, falling to host Emmanuel College, 3-1, and Regis College, 3-0.

Both teams avenged a previous loss to Lasell this year to split the season series. Emmanuel downed the Lasers by scores of 25-17, 25-22, 22-25 and 25-22, and Regis swept the match by scores of 25-23, 25-22 and 26-24. Lasell drops to 7-19 overall and 4-7 in conference play. Emmanuel, which also edged Regis 3-2 Saturday, is now 13-13 overall and 7-4 in the GNAC, while the Pride are now 7-15 overall and 2-9 in conference matches.

EMMANUEL 3, LASELL 1

Lasell had a balanced offensive attack in the match with four players slamming between nine and seven kills each. Sophomore Janci Soto (Lawrence, Mass.) led the way with nine kills and a team-high six blocks, while junior Nathan Gallo (North Providence, R.I.) and freshman Conor Leary-Watson (Bethany, Conn.) added eight kills each and freshman Aaron Waitekus (Norwood, Mass.) chipped in with seven kills.

Junior Andy Henriquez (Lawrence, Mass.) recorded 38 set assists, and three Lasers reached double-figures in digs – Henriquez with 16, junior Jordan Aprea (Newington, Conn.) with 15 and freshman Cobi Moore (Hampstead, N.H.) with 12.

Emmanuel led most of the way en route to a win in the first set but had to come from behind to take the second set, as Lasell led 14-11 before the Saints recorded six straight points to take the lead. It was a one-point margin several times late in the set before Emmanuel pulled out the 25-22 decision to take a 2-0 lead.

Lasell led wire-to-wire in the third set to get back in the match, but Emmanuel didn't make it easy, staying within a couple points most of the way.  The Saints pulled out the match in a see-saw fourth set, going on a 6-1 surge midway through the set to take the lead for good at 20-16. Lasell got to within two points at 24-22, but a service error gave Emmanuel the set and the match.

Emmanuel finished with a .200 attack percentage as a team, while Lasell hit at a .132 clip. The Lasers had swept the Saints in a home match back on March 20.

REGIS 3, LASELL 0

It was another balanced attack for Lasell against the Pride, as junior David Anthony (Cranston, R.I.) made eight kills, Soto and Leary-Watson added seven winners and freshman Greg Monteiro (New Bedford, Mass.) chipped in with six. Henriquez and sophomore Eric Silveira (Pawtucket, R.I.) combined for 27 assists, Aprea contributed a team-high 18 digs, and Henriquez made a team-high four blocks.

Regis scored five straight points midway through the first set to take an 18-13 lead. Lasell battled back to tie the score at 23-all, only to see the Pride put up two straight points to close out the set. Regis led much of the second set but the Lasers hung around and pulled to within one point at 23-22 before the Pride pulled out the 25-22 win. The third set was a see-saw battle before the teams were tied seven times between 17-17 and 24-24, but a pair of Pride kills finished off the Lasers.

Regis had a .185 attack percentage while Lasell hit at a .028 mark. The Lasers had pulled out a 3-2 win over the Pride earlier this season.

The Lasers will wrap up the regular season this upcoming week with three GNAC matches – Tuesday and Thursday at Emerson College and Mount Ida College, respectively, and Saturday in the home finale vs. Wentworth.

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