MEN'S VOLLEYBALL WINS TWO MORE AT ENDICOTT INVITATIONAL
Feb. 15, 2009
BEVERLY, Mass. - The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball Team tacked on two more wins over the weekend at the highly competitive Endicott Invitational Tournament. The Saints went two and two on the weekend, bringing their overall record to 8-6. Junior captain Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, Va.) led Emmanuel all weekend and was subsequently named to the All-Tournament Team for his performances.
The Saints dropped their two opening matches on Saturday, falling to Ramapo College (14-1, 4-0) and New Jersey City University (10-6, 3-0). Both teams are undefeated in their conference and stand at the top of the METRO Division of NECVA. Emmanuel rebounded to pick up wins on Sunday over Hunter College and Baruch College, who are also both undefeated in conference play. Hunter (13-10, 7-0) is the top team in the CUNYAC Division of NECVA, while Baruch (16-7, 4-0) is in the second slot.
In the Saints' opening match with NJCU, the two teams traded sets throughout. The Gothic Knights took the first and third sets, 30-27 and 30-25, while Emmanuel won sets two and four, 30-27 and 30-28. NJCU edged Emmanuel in the fifth and final set, 15-12. In the loss, Townsend hit .311, recording a career-high 28 kills for the Saints, while totaling 10 digs. Sophomore outside hitter Curtis Abram (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) notched a double-double with 19 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore setter Sean O'Connor (Hampstead, N.H.) dished out 46 assists, while sophomore defensive specialist Jacob DeLuise (Wakefield, R.I.) tallied a team-high 19 digs.
In Saturday's nightcap, sixth-ranked Ramapo topped the Saints, 3-1. The game scores were 25-30, 30-27, 21-30, and 19-30. Abram led the Saints with 15 kills, 6 blocks, and 6 digs. Townsend picked up another double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs, while sophomore middle Keoni Rabaino (Tucson, Ariz.) added 8 kills in the effort. O'Connor dished out 36 assists to go along with 5 digs.
Heading into Sunday's matches at with two losses, the Saints faced two tough CUNYAC opponents in Hunter and Baruch. Emmanuel rebounded to sweep Hunter in the first match of the day, 30-25, 30-14, and 30-28. Townsend hit an incredible .704, slamming down 20 kills in 27 swings, with just one hitting error. Another Abram double-double featured 15 kills and 10 digs for the sophomore. Rabaino added 8 kills and DeLuise tallied 9 digs, while O'Connor totaled 44 assists and 6 digs in the win.
The Saints maintained the momentum into Sunday's final match, as they nipped Baruch, 3-1. Baruch was ranked 10th in the most recent NECVA coaches' poll. Emmanuel took the match, 30-19, 30-24, 22-30, and 30-22. Townsend's 24 kills, 7 digs, and 4 blocks led the way. Rabaino chipped in with 11 kills and 5 blocks, while Abram played a solid match, tacking on 8 kills, 9 digs, and 5 blocks. O'Connor registered 54 helpers, while DeLuise and senior Brian Anderson (Akron, Ohio) combined for 18 digs.
Emmanuel is now 8-6 on the season and the Saints remain 5-1 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play. Emmanuel returns to action on Saturday (2/21), when the Saints host a tri-match with Lasell College and Endicott College. Emmanuel will open the day with Lasell at 12pm and will then take on the 11-6 Gulls of Endicott at 4pm.