Men's Volleyball Lose a Tough Battle to Nationally Ranked Springfield

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Volleyball team hosted No. 7 Springfield College in a non-conference match Tuesday evening at Picknelly Arena

BASICS
Score: Elms College 0 (19, 15, 19) | No. 7 Springfield College 3 (25, 25, 25)
Records: Blazers 2-3, 0-0 (GNAC) | Pride 3-1, 0-0 (NCAA Div. III Ind.)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening set we would see Elms get the first two points of the match with two service aces. After Springfield would get their first point, sophomore John Bellafronte (Enfield, Conn.) was able to get the first kill of the night. Then first year Hunter Ladouceur (Wilbraham, Mass.) was able to get another kill. After the Pride tied up the match, junior David Tompkins (Groton, Conn.) got his first kill of the night. Then the Blazers tied up the game with three kills, one by sophomore Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.) and two by senior Joshua Fernandez Garcia (Canovanas, P.R.) and one error. After Springfield takes the lead, the Pride makes an error which would not only give the Blazer another point, but it tied the set. Elms was able to capitalize on Springfield making four errors before Bellafronte was able to get his second kill of the set. After two more errors made by the Pride, the Blazers were not able to capitalize. Springfield would be the ones to take the win of the first set, 25-19.

Going into the second set we would see a similar opening where Elms would score first from a kill by Uschmann. After Springfield gets two points on the board, the Blazers were able to get two kills from Bellafronte and capitalize from an attack error made by the Pride. Then the Blazers would be able to get 9 more points due to Springfield errors. At this point of the set, The Blazers are falling behind the Pride, 22-13. Then Uschmann would get his second kill of the set. The Blazers would get one more point before Springfield would win the second set of the match, 25-15.

Going into the third and final match of the night, we would again see a similar narrative. However, this time Elms would get the first three points of the set with two service aces from Uschmann and a block from Fernandez Garcia and Bellafronte. After Springfield ties up the set, Bellafronte would get another kill, which would put the Blazers in the lead. After the Pride took the lead, Ladouceur would be able to make another kill for the Blazers, which was then followed by a service ace from Bellafronte, which would tie the set. Springfield would take over the lead, but would make three errors, including a big block by Uschmann, that would give Elms three points before sophomore Al Sánchez (Guayama, P.R.) was able to get his first kill of the night. Both Bellafronte and Sánchez would each get another kill, which would make the score 18-14, Pride. Before the end of the set, the Blazers were able to get three more kills before the end, two made by Uschmann and one made by Fernandez Garcia. Even though Elms put up a tough fight, the Blazers fell short in the third set, losing to Springfield 25-19. Springfield, who is No.7 in the country, took home the win 3-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Bellafronte would have 6 kills, two digs, one service ace, and a block assist.

• Uschmann recorded five kills, four service aces, a dig, and a block.

• Fernandez Garcia added three kills, a dig, and a block assist.

• Sánchez would make two kills, two digs, and an assist.

• Ladouceur made 16 assists, two kills, and two digs.

• Thompkins would make a kill.

UP NEXT: The Elms College Men's Volleyball team will host Regis College in their conference opener on Wednesday, February 5th at 7 pm at Picknelly Arena.

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