Men’s Volleyball Lose a Tough Battle to Endicott

CHICOPEE, MA - The Elms College Men's Volleyball team hosted Endicott College in a non-conference match on Tuesday night at Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 0 (16, 21, 23) | Endicott College 3 (25, 25, 25)
Records: Blazers 3-12, 0-4 (GNAC) | Gulls 6-7, 0-0 (NEVC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The opening set began with Endicott taking command early. First-year Nick Uschmann (Agawam, MA) would record Elms' first two kills of the match that would lead the Blazers into an aggressive offense, which would lead to a couple errors by the Gulls. Elms was awarded the points from those errors, making the match closer. However, Endicott extended out their lead in the middle part of the set. But a service ace from first-year Joey Crain (Southwick, MA) and two more kills from Uschman would pause Endicott's offense momentarily. The Gulls responded with 5 straight kills, to extend their lead, then would take the first set 25-16.

The second set would begin with Elms playing Endicott more closely. Graduate student Pedro De Jesus (East Hartford, CT), sophomore Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain) and first-year John Bellafronte (Enfield, CT), Uschmann contributed a handful of kills to keep the Blazers at pace with the Gulls. The set was close, but Endicott was unwilling to give away their lead. Every time the Blazers got close, a service error bit them on the heel, giving the Gulls more points that led to a continuous Blazers deficit. With the set tied at 20, Endicott achieved a couple of kills and was awarded points off service errors, taking the second set 25-21.

Elms jumped out to an early 8-4 lead in the third set, receiving kills from De Jesus, Crain, Bellafronte, and junior Joshua Fernandez Garcia (Canovanas, PR), along with a service ace from De Jesus. The Blazers put pressure on the Gulls, receiving points from a couple of service errors and a service ace from Bellafronte. Endicott stormed back in the set, cutting the Elms lead to just four points, but a kill each from Crain and Uschmann kept the Blazers in the lead. The Gulls turned up the intensity in the final frames, scoring the last five points of the set, sweeping the Blazers 3-0 in the match.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Uschmann: 10 kills, one dig, and a block assist.

• Bellafronte: six kills, three assists, five digs, and 1.5 blocks.

• Crain: two kills, seven digs, and a three service aces.

• De Jesus: three digs, 22 assists.

• Graduate student Collin Liedke (Newington, CT): 14 digs and two assists

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will host Rivier in a conference doubleheader at Picknelly Arena on Saturday, March 2nd at 11 AM and 1PM.

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