Blazers Take Weekend Trimatch

Newton, MA - Elms College earned two wins on Saturday, 9/25 in a tri-meet match hosted by Lasell University. The Blazers defeated the Lasers 25-23, 25-19, 24-26 and 25-19 before beating Fisher College, 25-23, 25-22 and 25-15.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Elms 3, Lasell 1 (25-23, 25-19, 24-26, 25-19)

The Blazers led most of the way in the first set, with several aces from Laura Jensen and kills by Alanys Cruz Diaz. The Lasers were within a point at 11-10 before Elms pulled away to a 19-11 lead. Despite a late push from the Lasers that put them within one at 24-23, Elms closed out the set 25-23 from Jensen.

The teams traded leads in a close second set, with several ties along the way. Lasell pulled ahead 19-18, but Jaylianne Ramos Figueroa rattled off a kill and three straight aces to give the Blazers the lead for good as Elms pulled out the 25-20 verdict.

The third set was a three or four-point score most of the way. Despite a late deficit, the Blazers came back to tie it 23-all and served for the match at 24-23. A late push by the Lasers took the set into extra points and the Blazers fell 24-26. 

Lasell had an early in the fourth-set but the Blazers went on a 9-1 rally to pull ahead 17-14.  Back-and-forth action kept the set close until a final Blazer serving run from Ramos Figueroa gave Elms the set 25-19. The Blazers won the match 3-1. 

Elms 3, Fisher 0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-15)

The first set consisted of back-and-forth action with the Falcons pulling ahead 15-10. A late push by the Blazers even the score 21-21 after back-to-back kills from Elese Ciarcia and Alanys Cruz Diaz. A service run from Govanna Rosado pushed the Blazers to set point (24-21). Despite a late effort, a kill from Cruz Diaz sealed the set 25-23. 

The second set remained close with the Blazers leading 21-17 after a service run from Sabrina Christie. A kill from Ramos Figueroa closed the set 25-22. Elms led the match 2-0. 

The third set again opened with competitive play until the Blazers opened up a 6-point lead from service run by Christie (13-7). Another service run from Rosado pushed the Blazers up 17-9. Despite a late effort from the Falcons, the Blazers closed out the set with a kill from Jensen 25-15. The Blazers took the match 3-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

Match 1:

Cruz Diaz led the Blazers with 18 kills and a .351 attack percentage

Ramos Figueroa contributed a double-double of 12 kills and 12 digs, along with seven aces

Jensen also contributed five kills and eight service aces as the Blazers recorded 20 aces as a team.

Match 2:

Jensen, Cruz Diaz, and Ramos Figueroa each paced the Blazers with 10 kills apiece. 

Ramos Figueroa led all players with 17 digs with Caraballo Rivera (16) and Rosado (15) not far behind. 

Christie hit a match-high .500 notching 4 kills on 8 attempts with 0 errors.

UP NEXT:

- The Blazers are back in Picknelly Arena, for a GNAC matchup against Johnson & Wales University, 9/28 for a 7PM start.

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