Saints Swept in Straight Sets Loss vs. Endicott
BOSTON - The Endicott Gulls combined for 49 kills and an attack percentage of .268, including two players with at least 15 kills, as Endicott stayed unbeaten, improving to 3-0 this season following a 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 37-35) win over the Emmanuel Saints on Wednesday night in non-conference play at Yosinoff Court.
THE BASICS
Score:
Endicott 3 – Emmanuel 0 (25-21, 25-18, 37-35)
Records:
Emmanuel College Saints (2-2, 1-0 GNAC)
Endicott College Gulls (3-0, 0-0 NECC)
Location: Boston, Mass. – JYC Gymnasium/Andy Yosinoff Court
Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022
THE LEAD – The Endicott Gulls combined for 49 kills and an attack percentage of .268, including two players with at least 15 kills, as Endicott stayed unbeaten, improving to 3-0 this season following a 3-0 (25-21, 25-18, 37-35) win over the Emmanuel Saints on Wednesday night in non-conference play at Yosinoff Court.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In the opening set, short runs helped Endicott keep the Saints at a distance to give the Gulls the first set. The Gulls lead 15-13, and with seven of the next 11 points going to Endicott, the visitors were able to create enough breathing room in the set. The Saints closed to within three, by Gulls junior Ian Smith (Elk Grove, Calif.) finished off the set with a kill and a 25-21 set win.
- In set two, the Gulls jumped out to a quick lead with six of the first eight points to hold a 6-2 edge. The Saints managed to bounce back, but again the Gulls used short runs in the middle of the set to create some distance. Leading by a pair at 17-15, Endicott widened their margin with five of the next six points and eventually finished the set off with a kill by senior Rafa Robert (San Juan, P.R.), to claim the second set, 25-18.
- The third set extended well beyond the usual 25-point winning score as the teams combined for 72 points, eventually going in favor of the Gulls. On the 10th match point, Gulls junior Spencer Capps (Lake Bluff, Ill.) finally finished the straight sets victory with one last kill, giving Endicott the 37-35 win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Robert led all players with 17 kills and a match-best .462 attack percentage. Capps chipped in with 15 kills while Smith added nine kills in the win.
- Saints first-year Jyles Amirault (Andover, Mass.) had a team-high six kills to go with five digs.
- Junior Joshua McDonald (Smithtown, N.Y.) added four kills and three service aces.
- Junior Roman Fabrizio (Salem, N.H.) matched McDonald with three service aces while adding 15 assists.
- In the final set, the Gulls finished the match in the 10th attempt while the Saints had three attempts to send the match to a fourth set.
UP NEXT
- The Saints are currently scheduled to host a Jan. 29 tri-match with Emerson and Rivier, starting at 10:00 a.m., but the threat of a Nor'easter may impact the Saints Saturday schedule.
- The Gulls have a break before heading to Springfield, Mass. for the International Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic. Endicott starts the Classic on Feb. 4 against the No. 5 NYU Violets at 8:00 p.m. Depending on the result, the Gulls will go on to face either No. 3 Vassar or No. 1 Springfield on Feb. 5.