Men's Volleyball: Lasers fall, 3-0, to Division I Sacred Heart

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Lasell University men's volleyball team fell to Division I Sacred Heart, 3-0, Friday at William H. Pitt Center.

Junior Brenden Joyce led the Lasers (2-5) with eight kills. Junior Tucker Merritt had a perfect kill percentage, converting all three of his attempts. Merritt also tallied two block assists.

Sophomore Patrick Mucherino led the match with 12 kills for the Pioneers (2-0) and fellow classmate Mark Berry recorded nine kills.

The first set was tight between the two sides as the game was tied at 6-6. A kill by Joyce gave the visitors a 13-11 advantage. The game quickly flipped in favor of the Pioneers, as they scored six straight points and took a 17-13 lead on a kill by sophomore Teddy Payne. Lasell came to within 24-22 on a kill by freshman Jordan Shinaut, but Sacred Heart was able to secure a 25-22 victory.

Lasell took a 2-1 lead in the second set on kills by Joyce and Shinaut. The set went back and forth and was tied at 8-8 and 9-9. The Pioneers grabbed four straight points and took a 13-9 lead. Lasell cut the deficit down to 21-18, but the hosts scored four of the final points, earning a 25-19 triumph.

Freshman Dexter Thomas gave the Lasers a 2-1 advantage in the third set on a kill. After falling behind, 9-3, Lasell responded with a 5-2 surge and cut the deficit down to 11-8 on a service ace by junior Jan Baranowski. The Pioneers scored 14 of the final 19 points in the set, as a 7-0 surge clinched a 25-13 match-clinching triumph for the Pioneers.

The Lasers will be back in action for their first home match of the year when they play host to Nichols Thursday, Feb. 3, at 7 p.m. in the Athletic Center.

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