Men's Volleyball: Lasers experience 3-0 setback at No. 12 Wentworth

BOSTON - Freshman Alex Weinhaus tied a career-high 13 digs and junior Brenden Joyce tallied a team-leading 12 kills for the Lasell University men's volleyball team during a 3-0 Great Northeast Athletic Conference loss at No. 12-ranked Wentworth Thursday evening.

The Lasers (11-6, 5-1 GNAC), who defeated No. 1-ranked Springfield, 3-1, on Tuesday and have received votes in back-to-back editions of the NVA/AVCA Men's Division III Coaches' poll, received a team-best 25 assists from junior setter Jesus Garcia. Junior Tucker Merritt and freshman Jordan Shinaut combined for 11 kills and six total blocks for Lasell.

Jacob LaBouliere registered a match-leading 20 kills for the Leopards (13-3, 6-1 GNAC). Connor Adams compiled the most assists in the match with 40, while Hunter Oshman (14 kills), Phoenix Stebbins (14 digs) and David Marsh (4 total blocks) played well for Wentworth.

The Leopards gained some separation in the opening set with a 7-0 run, as back-to-back services aces by Adams gave the hosts a 16-9 advantage. Lasell answered with a 13-4 surge, taking a 22-20 lead on three straight service points by sophomore Ryan Fuller. Each team fought off one match point by the opposition, and then Oshman buried the game-clinching kill for Wentworth in a 27-25 opening-set win.

Wentworth built an 11-4 lead in the second set on a kill by LaBouliere, and then played well with the lead, not allowing Lasell to get closer than six the rest of the set. A kill by Colin Stockton gave the Leopards a 25-17 victory and 2-0 lead in the match.

After falling behind, 17-10, during the third set, the Lasers fought back with seven consecutive points, evening the game at 17-17 on a kill by junior Jan Baranowski. Wentworth scored eight of the final 11 points, clinching the match with a 25-20 triumph. 

The Lasers finished with 12 total blocks. Prior to Thursday's match, Lasell won nine straight matches, dating back to Feb. 3.

The Lasers defeated then-No. 5-ranked Wentworth, 3-1, on Feb. 19 in the Lasell Athletic Center. During the 2021 season, the two teams met six times, with Lasell earning two wins.

The Lasers will be back in action Tuesday with a 6 p.m. GNAC match against Dean in Franklin, Massachusetts.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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