Box Score THE BASICS
Score: Lasell 3, Emerson 0 (25-8, 25-17, 25-23)
Records: Emerson Lions (4-3, 0-1 GNAC); Lasell Lasers (15-1, 2-0 GNAC)
Location: Newton, Mass. (Athletic Center)
Date: February 16, 2017
The Lead: Freshman Diego Garcia (Honolulu, Hi.) and sophomore Win Kittivatcharapong (Bangkok, Thailand) each tallied a team-best six kills apiece in the Emerson men's volleyball's first GNAC matchup of the season where the Lasell Lasers, ranked #12 Nationally, handed the Lions its first conference loss in straight sets, 3-0, on Thursday night.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Junior Nick Rusk (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) led Emerson with 21 assists, two aces and co-led the offense with six digs with freshman Carl D'Aguiar (Tujunga, Calif.).
- Sophomore Mark Piorkowski (Montclair, N.J.) and freshman John Bucy (McLean, Va.) each led the defense with two block assists each.
- Tristan Davis paced the hosts with 10 kills on 16 swings, while Andy Henriguez powered out 28 assists and Scott Sterenberg and Patrick McDonald each recorded a pair of aces.
- Alex Moule registered 10 digs and McDonald also tallied a team-best three block assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Lasell jumped out in front at 4-0 and had Emerson answer with the next four of five points to close within two of the Lasers at 6-4 on a kill from junior Stig Regan (Kailua, Hi.).
- Two is the closest the Lions would come to the Lasers through the opening frame as the Lasers strung together a 9-0 push to gain the 15-4 lead.
- After Lasell extended their lead into double figures at 16-5, Emerson was only able to put three more points on the board as the Lasers registered the final four to cruise to a 25-8 win.
- Emerson trailed Lasell by no more than five through the beginning portion of the second set before the Lasers set off on a 4-0 run that pushed their lead to 19-10.
- The Lions recorded the next four of five points to cut the Lasers margin down to six at 20-14.
- A Lasers service error brought the Lions within seven at 24-17, but the Lasers sealed the 24-17 second frame win on a swing by David Anthony.
- Emerson sparked life within the final frame and began the set with its first lead at 5-2 on a Piorkowski kill before Lasell charged back and squared the score at 5-all and again at 8-8.
- Both teams exchanged the lead several times before Lasell broke the 19-19 score and regained the 19-16 advantage.
- Despite Lasell holding the lead, Emerson never backed down and strung three straight points together to put themselves within one at 24-23 on a Rusk kill before Henriquez's kill sealed the Lion's 3-0 setback.
UP NEXT
- Emerson steps out of GNAC play on Saturday, February 18 as they take on Mt. St. Vincent at 5:00 p.m. at Emmanuel College.
- Lasell will also be in action on Saturday, February 18 and head to Springfield to take part in a tri-match against Wells at 4:00 p.m. and Springfield at 6:00 p.m.
STAY LIVE WITH THE LIONS
