Men's Volleyball Swept at Rivier

NASHUA, N.H. - The Elms College Men's Volleyball team traveled to Rivier University for a conference match Tuesday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 0 (11, 24, 13) | Rivier University 3 (25, 26, 25)
Records: Blazers 6-20, 3-8 (GNAC) | Raiders 10-14, 5-7 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first set would start with Rivier scoring the first point, but sophomore Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.) would make a block to tie the set. The Raiders would regain their lead and not let their foot off the gas pedal. After capitalizing on a handful of errors committed by their opponent, Elms would see a combined four kills by sophomore John Bellafronte (Enfield, Conn.), Uschmann, and junior Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain), but Rivier would take the opening set 25-11.

The second set would begin with two early kills by Bellafronte and Uschmann, followed by a service ace from Bellafronte and an additional kill by sophomore James Davis (Leetsdale, Penn.) to take a narrow lead. After a kill by the Raiders to bring the score to 4-3, the Blazers offense would continue to add points to extend their lead further, after three kills by Uschmann and Artero, and back-to-back blocks from Artero and first year Hunter Ladouceur (Wilbraham, Mass.). Bellafronte, Uschmann, and Artero would record four more kills, but Rivier would then take the lead, but Elms would not back down, following kills by Uschmann, Bellafronte, and first year Yazhua Marin Valentin (Springfield, Mass.), and service aces from Artero and Ladouceur. Unfortunately, the Raiders would win the set 26-24.

The third and final set would see Rivier take an early 4-0 lead, but the Blazers would fight back after a pair of kills by Bellafronte and Uschmann, along with a block by Davis and Bellafronte. As the Raiders continued to add to their lead, Elms would capitalize on kills from Uschmann, Marin Valentin, and Bellafronte, a service ace by junior David Tompkins (Groton, Conn.), a block from David and Uschmann, errors by their conference foe. But the Rivier offense would end the set earlier than hoped, as they would take the set 25-13 and win the match 3-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Artero: three kills, two block assists, a service ace, and a dig.

• Bellafronte: six kills, a service ace, a block assist, and two digs.

• Davis: a kill and two block assists.

• Ladouceur: 21 assists, two block assists, a service ace, and a dig.

• Marin Valentin: two kills and a dig.

• Tompkins: a service ace.

• Uschmann: 11 kills, two blocks, and a dig.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will host Emmanuel College in a conference match on Thursday, April 3rd for their annual Senior Night at 7 pm at Picknelly Arena.

--

For continuing coverage of Elms College Athletics, visit www.ecblazers.com and follow the Blazers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.