Men's Volleyball Outlasts Lesley in Five Sets

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's volleyball team registered their first New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) victory with a five-set win over visiting Lesley University Monday night at Picknelly Arena. The Blazers won the match, 3-2 (25-12, 25-18, 20-25, 21-25, 15-10), to halt a four-game losing streak.

The Blazers were paced offensively by junior Christian Arroyo (Chicopee, Mass.) with a career-high 15 kills on 19 attempts with six digs and a match-high six blocks. Freshman opposite Blake Fry (Natick, Mass.) registered his first career double-double with 13 kills and 17 digs. Senior setter Kevin Welsh (Wilbraham, Mass.) dished out 33 assists with 11 digs and five kills, while freshman opposite Kahlil Peters (Hartford, Conn.) had 10 assists, 10 digs, and five kills. Junior defensive specialist Roger Conklin (Chicopee, Mass.) had 12 digs, and sophomore libero Austin DeCosmo (Southwick, Mass.) snared a game-high 22 digs in the win.

The Lynx had three players amass double digit kill totals, led by 16 kills from sophomore outside hitter Tyler Burns (Newtown, Pa.). Burns added 16 sigs with a match-high five service aces. Junior outside hitter Jess Cherry (Lancaster, Pa.) had a double-double with 15 kills and 14 digs, while junior outside hitter Chris Barletta (Valrico, Fla.) tallied 10 kills, six digs and three aces. Sophomore setter Mitchel Ulacco (Winchester, Mass.) recorded a match-high 43 assists for the Lynx.

With the win, the Blazers improve to 4-17 on the season, and 1-7 in NECC play, while the Lynx dropped to 2-14 overall, and 0-7 in league action. Elms will return to the court against Newbury at Picknelly Arena Wednesday night. Lesley travels to Endicott for a conference match Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.

ELMS VOLLEYBALL