SAINTS SHUT OUT GULLS IN SEASON OPENER
Jan. 16, 2008
Boston, MA - The Emmanuel College Men's Volleyball Team hosted Endicott College on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams. The Saints cruised to decisive wins in the first two games, winning, 30-23 and 30-19. Emmanuel held on to stop the Gulls in the third set, 32-30, and take the 3-game match. Endicott and Emmanuel were picked to finish 4th and 5th, respectively, in the New England Division of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA), based on the preseason coaches' poll.
The young Saints saw two freshmen and two sophomores in the starting line-up for the opening match. Rookie outside hitter Curtis Abram (San Luis Obispo, CA) led Emmanuel with 12 kills, hitting .364. Freshman middle blocker Keoni Rabaino (Tucson, AZ) notched 10 kills in 16 attempts, while making 3 solo blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) slammed down 8 kills and tallied 3 aces, while senior opposite Brendan Ellis (Chelmsford, MA) recorded 6 kills and 4 digs in the win. Sophomore setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) was solid for the Saints, dishing out 33 assists in 84 attempts.
The Saints (1-0) will be back in action on Friday night (1/18), when they travel to Providence, RI to take on the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University in a 7pm start.