MVB: Lasers Sweep Home Opening Tri-Match, Including Win over #10 Rutgers-Newark

Newton, MA - The Lasell Lasers swept their home opening tri-match against conference opponent Regis College (25-13, 25-9, 25-12) and non-conference opponent #10 Rutgers-Newark (21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-20). The Lasers are now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in GNAC play, while Regis is 1-4 and 0-2. Rutgers Newark is now 4-1 on the season.

Match vs Regis

The Lasers were able to control this match from the start, getting out to an early 8-4 lead. They would continue to expand that lead, using a 12-3 run to break it open. They would win the first set 25-13.

The Lasers wasted no time in the second set getting out ahead 11-1 thanks to some great serving from Jesus Garcia and Brenden Joyce. They would coast the rest of the set, and take it 25-9.

Despite Lasell winning the first four points of the third set, the Pride of Regis closed the gap to 10-9. But the Lasers would win the next 10 points behind the serving of Garcia, and would take the set 25-12, giving them the match.

The Lasers were led offensively by David Massa (12 kills on 19 attempts), and Tucker Merritt (seven kills on 10 attempts). Jesus Garcia collected 27 set assists. Defensively, Garcia had eight digs, while Merritt had three blocks, one solo and two assists. Carter Phillips had two solo blocks himself.

Match ve #10 Rutgers-Newark

In a match between two teams with championship aspirations, it was a back and forth affair all match. The Scarlet Knights grabbed the largest lead of the match at 12-7, but the Lasers would go on a 4-0 run to get back within one. But they were unable to get ahead, as Rutgers-Newark had a response for every Laser score. The Scarlet-Knights would win the first set 25-21.

The second set saw the same story as the first, but with the roles reversed, as the Lasers grabbed the early 12-7 lead. But Rutgers-Newark fought back, and got within one. But the Lasers would stay strong, and keep the lead, ultimately winning the second set 25-21.

Before either team got to 10 in the third set, there had already been six ties. With the score tied at nine, the Lasers went on a 5-0 run behind the serving of Jan Baranowski, to take a 14-9 lead. But the Scarlet-Knights went on a 4-0 run of their own to make things 16-15. But right after a timeout, the Lasers settled down and scored the next three points. The Lasers went on to win the set 25-22, putting them just one set away from victory.

The two teams continued to go back and forth, and the Scarlet Knights held an early 10-8 lead. But just like the third set, the serving of Jan Baranowski proved to be the turning point, as the Lasers went on a 6-1 lrun to take a 14-11 lead. But Rutgers-Newark would respond with a run themselves, scoring nine of the next 12 points. Trailing 20-17, the Lasers did not quit. They would go on to score the final eight points behind David Massa's serving, taking the set 25-20, and winning the match.

The Lasers were led offensively by Theo Zaharewicz (15 kills) and Brenden Joyce (14 kills). Jesus Garcia sat setting the table for most of those, as he had 35 set assists. Garcia also led the way with 11 digs. Tucker Merritt (two solo, two assists) and Zaharewicz (one solo and three assists) each had four total blocks.

Up Next - The Lasers will travel to Poughkeepsie, NY as they face off with Misericordia and #5 Vassar on Saturday, February 4th. Those matches will start at 3pm and 5pm.