Men's Volleyball: No. 15 Lasers improve to 6-1 in GNAC with 3-0 sweep of Dean

FRANKLIN, Mass. - Freshman setter Zak Burkett of the No. 15 Lasell University men's volleyball team compiled career-highs with a game-leading 27 assists and nine digs during a 3-0 triumph in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action at Dean Tuesday evening.

Junior Riley Grenier finished with personal-bests of 13 digs and 10 kills for the Lasers (12-6, 6-1 GNAC), leading all players in both categories. Graduate student Dillon DeSouza tallied a season-high seven kills, as Lasell has won 10-of-11 matches, dating back to Feb. 3. DeSouza and Grenier were efficient on the attack, with hitting percentages of .875 and .421, respectively. 

"Every conference match is important," said Lasell University Men's Volleyball Head Coach Jeff Vautrin. "We know that Dean was a newer program, but this match is just as important as any. We gave them some different looks tonight and the guys delivered. DeSouza and Grenier led the offense with dominant hitting performances. Meanwhile, Burkett led the team to victory with a great setting performance."

Tyler Martins recorded a team-leading six assists for the Bulldogs (1-9, 0-2 GNAC). Rodrigo Monteiro tallied a team-high five kills for Dean, while Aaron Fonseca and Joseph Medeiros each posted five digs.

The Lasers scored the first seven points of the opening set, concluding with six consecutive service points by Burkett. An ace by freshman Carter Philips gave the visitors a 19-5 advantage. The Lasers held an 11-1 lead in kills and posted a .381 hitting percentage on their way to a 25-9 first-set triumph.

Dean took a 13-12 advantage during the second set. Three straight service points by Philips put Lasell in front, 24-16, and then the Lasers closed out a 25-17 victory. The visitors ended the set on a 13-4 run.

A kill by DeSouza extended the Lasers' lead to 16-11 in the final set, and then Burkett smashed the match-clinching kill, giving the unit a 25-20 third-set win. Lasell recorded 13 kills and a .417 hitting percentage in the third. Burkett tallied 11 assists and four digs in the final set.

The Lasers held a 34-12 advantage in kills during the match and a 35-23 lead in digs. The visitors also led service aces, 11-3, and assists, 32-8. Freshman David Massa compiled seven kills for Lasell.

Lasell will compete against MIT at 7 p.m. Friday in the Athletic Center.

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

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