NEWTON, Mass. – A 7.5 team blocking effort fell short Thursday night as the Emerson Men's Volleyball Team fell 25-20, 23-25, 25-22 and 25-17 to the Lasell Lasers in GNAC volleyball action. With the loss the Lions are now 9-12 on the year and 3-5 in conference play as Lasell improves to 10-7 on the year and 3-1 in GNAC play.

Set one saw the Lions struggle to find offensive rhythm with six attack errors. Lasell's Dan Raffol led the floor with five kills in the set as the Lasers rocked a split setter offense with Matt Dugan and Ryan Jackson both putting up five assists each. The Lions defense was scrappy, posting 2.5 blocks in the set with Connor Burton and Brendan McGonigle each posting two block assists as the Lions fell 25-20.

Set two saw the Lions step it up, this time with Nadav Swarttz throwing down a nasty .714 attack percentage for five kills while the defense did work for three more blocks. Swarttz was a stalwart on defense as well with a solo block and an assist as the Lions battled off six tie scores and five lead changes for a 25-23 lead to tie it.

Lasell shook off the loss in set three though as they came out swinging for a .324 team average In the set with Abdulrehman Khan three down five kills for a .500 average to lead the Lasers. EC scrapped in with five kills from Jackson Wiley and a solo block from Burton, while forcing six tie scores but ultimately fell 25-23.

Set four saw the Lions fall out of sync again as the offense couldn't settle down in the set. Attack errors plagued the Lions as they had seven in the set to their five kills. LC lit it up on offense thogh with a .312 attack percentage in route to a 25-17 final.

The Lions will return home for more GNAC action next week as they set to host the Emmanuel Saints on Tuesday, March 26. Match time is set for 7 p.m. in Boston at Emerson's Brown-Plofker Gym.