BOSTON, Mass. ‑ Brendan McGonigle (seven kills, nine digs) Dimitri Gorenc (12 kills, 20.5 points) and Jackson Wiley (12 kills, 17 points) led the charge for the Lions as the Emerson Men's Volleyball Team earned an in-conference victory against the Lasell College Lasers Thursday night.

Emerson (7-5, 2-1 in GNAC play) snapped an eight-game win streak for Lasell (14-5, 3-4 in GNAC play).

Emerson was dominant right out of the gate.  McGonnigle stole the court with expert blocks at the net while Gorenc took over offensively, recording four kills and 7.5 points for EC.  After a McGonigle block was called out of bounds, Lasell brought the score even at 13-13.  However, EC took over from there, amassing a 20-14 lead late in the match off yet another McGonigle kill.  Lasell fought back again, cutting the deficient to 23-22.  Kills by Gorenc and Jackson Wiley closed out the match, giving EC a hard-fought 25-23 victory. 

The second set proved more difficult for EC.  Early in the set, the Lions put themselves into a 5-1 hole against the Lasers.   A service ace by Wiley brought Lions within three, but a Ryan Jackson kill made the score 13-9 in favor of Lasell.  Overall, Lasell played more aggressively as they grinded their way to a 25-18 win. 

McGonigle returned to form in the third set, giving EC their first point with a tough block.  The third set saw a back-and-forth affair, with both teams settling in and making few unforced errors.   After falling behind 20-16 midway through the set, the Lions clawed their way back to the score at 20 off a service ace by Wiley.  Two consecutive kills by Gorenc gave EC a slight 24-23 point edge, and EC earned a 26-24 win, taking a 2-1 set lead. 

After falling behind 5-1 early in the fourth set, EC quickly gained a 7-5 lead as they were able to force Lasell errors.   The Lasers rebounded, forcing a fifth and final set with a 25-21 victory. 

In the deciding set, EC dominated Lasell, outplaying them in every aspect.  Emerson came away with a huge 15-11 set win, clinching the match. 

The Lions serve up some action next at Albertus Magnus College on March 16 at 11 a.m.

Written by Keely Flanagan, Media Relations Assistant