Men's Volleyball: Lasers battle to end in 3-0 loss at No. 10 Wentworth in GNAC title game

BOSTON - The Lasell University men's volleyball team competed in its fourth Great Northeast Athletic Conference title match since 2011 Saturday evening, as the second-seeded Lasers fell, 3-0, to top-seeded and No. 10-ranked Wentworth.

The Lasers (22-9, 14-2 GNAC) have compiled some standout moments during the 2022 season, defeating No. 1-ranked Springfield, 3-0, on March 1 and outlasting then-No. 5-ranked Wentworth, 3-1, on Feb. 19, with both matches being played in front of roaring crowds at the Athletic Center. Lasell and Wentworth (28-4, 15-1 GNAC) have competed in some must-see matches over the last two seasons, as the programs have squared off nine times. The Lasers have emerged victorious in three of those matches.

Jesus Garcia tallied 22 assists for Lasell on Saturday, while Jan Baranowski, Brenden Joyce, Theo Zaharewicz, Dexter Thomas and Jordan Shinaut combined for 24 kills. Garcia and Joyce were named to the All-Tournament Team, as they finished with 43 assists and 15 kills, respectively, during a 3-1 triumph over visiting Rivier during the semifinals Thursday night in the Athletic Center.

Leading the way for the Leopards were Jacob LaBouliere (23 kills, 6 digs), Hunter Oshman (13 kills, 8 digs), Connor Adams (38 assists) and David Marsh (6 total blocks). Oshman and LaBouliere compiled hitting percentages of .545 and .409, respectively.

Lasell came out ready to play, taking a 7-3 lead on a kill by Thomas. Wentworth scored seven consecutive points, with back-to-back kills by LaBouliere giving the hosts a 10-7 advantage. Joyce responded for Lasell with a kill right down the middle, trimming the deficit down to two. Garcia flipped a tremendous set to Thomas, who blasted a kill, bringing the Lasers to within three at 12-9. Wentworth developed separation down the stretch, and then clinched a 25-16 opening-set victory on an ace LaBouliere.

In the second set, Shinaut and Baranowski teamed up for a huge block on LaBouliere, trimming the deficit to 21-13. Lasell showed tremendous resiliency and mental toughness during the second set. The Leopards built a 24-13 lead and with their backs against the wall, the Lasers reeled of six straight points, cutting Wentworth's advantage to 24-19 on a kill by Zaharewicz. A kill by LaBouliere on the ensuing point sealed a six-point win in the second set for the Leopards.

A kill by Joyce put the Lasers in front, 8-7, during the third set. The Lasers and Leopards went back in forth for the majority of the set and a kill by Zaharewicz trimmed Wentworth's lead to 19-17. The hosts scored the final six points of the match, clinching the GNAC title with an ace by Anthony Krzykowski.

The Lasers will await to see if they earn an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament Monday. The NCAA Selection Show will air at 10 a.m. on NCAA.com. A link to the show will be on the front page of the website.

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

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