Blazers Split GNAC Tri-Match

BOSTON, MA – The Elms men's volleyball team split their GNAC tri-match today vs. Dean (3-0) and No.9 Wentworth (0-3).

SCORES: Elms 3 | Dean 0 (25-7, 25-8, 25-8)

Elms 0 | Wentworth 3 (21-25, 14-25, 23-25)

RECORDS: Elms (8-12, 4-6 GNAC) Dean (1-15, 0-8 GNAC) Wentworth (18-4, 9-1 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

Match 1: 

The Blazers jumped out to an early 9-2 lead on the heels of a pair of service aces from Luis Martinez. A trio of kills from Pedro De Jesus and Martinez pushed the Blazers to a 22-6 lead before another Martinez kill and a Bulldog error sealed the set 25-7. The second set saw the Blazers leading 7-0 on a service run by Antonio Delgado Rolon. A kill from Delgado Rolon put the Blazers up 20-5 before a kill and ace from Carlos Mercado closed out the set 25-8. The third close began with back-and-forth action before a pair of Mercado aces put the Blazers up 11-3. Mercado continued his service run for another 5 points to push the Blazers to a 16-3 lead. A kill and ace from Martinez closed out the set and match 25-8. Elms won the match 3-0.

Match 2: 

The Blazers carried their momentum from the first match as they battled with Wentworth throughout the first set. A Martinez kill saw the teams tied at 12-12 before the Blazers trailed 16-20 on a Leopard service run. Elms closed the gap at 20-21 on a pair of Leopard errors. A late kill from Pedro De Jesus fought off set point before the Blazers fell 21-25. Elms saw themselves in a 0-7 deficit in the second set before closing the gap to 4 on a kill from Axelmanuel Figueroa Acevedo. A pair of kills from Mercado kept the Blazers fighting at 9-17. Despite a late effort by the Blazers, Elms fell 14-25 in the set.  The third set saw the Blazers bounce back and in the lead at 7-5 on a Mercado ace. Elms trailed by 2 at 15-17 before a pair of kills from De Jesus and Martinez tied the game at 17. It was a battle to the finish with Elms trailing by 1 at 22-23 before a pair of Leopard kills closed out the set and match 22-25. The set featured 18 ties and 5 lead changes. Elms dropped the match 0-3. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Match 1:

Pedro De Jesus led all players with 13 kills on 22 swings and 0 errors hitting at a .591 clip. Martinez and Delgado Rolon also hit error-free adding 8 and 7 kills respectively. 

Martinez paced the Blazers from behind the service line with 9 aces as the Blazers served up 15 total aces for the match. 

Martinez led all players with 13 digs with Mercado and Delgado Rolon adding 11 and 9 respectively. 

Delgado Rolon led the Blazer offense to an impressive .507 hitting percentage with 30 assists. 

Match 2:

Mercado led the Blazers with 11 kills while De Jesus added 10 and Martinez 6. 

Mercado, Martinez, and Collin Liedke all contributed 6 digs with De Jesus adding 5 and Delgado Rolon 4. 

Delgado Rolon paced the Blazers with 25 assists leading them to a .237 hitting percentage. 

UP NEXT: 

The Blazers are back on the road Wednesday (3/23) in a non-conference matchup vs. Endicott at 7pm.

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