SAINTS STUN 7th RANKED MIT
Jan. 22, 2008
Boston, MA - The Emmanuel Men's Volleyball Team remains undefeated after Tuesday night's 5-game victory over 7th ranked MIT. The host Saints (3-0, 2-0 NECVA) jumped out to an early lead over the nationally ranked Engineers, winning the first two games, 30-27 and 30-18. MIT (1-2, 1-1 NECVA) rebounded to take wins in the third and fourth sets, 30-18 and 30-27, sending the match into the deciding fifth game. Emmanuel won the nail-biting fifth set, 20-18.
The Saints were led by NECVA-New England Rookie of the Week Curtis Abram (San Luis Obispo, CA). Abram slammed down 19 kills, hitting .341 for the match, and gathered 15 digs. Abram also served up the match point service ace to win 20-18 in the fifth game. Sophomore outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) notched 13 kills and 4 aces, while freshman middle Keoni Rabaino (Tucson, AZ) smashed down 12 kills, hitting .321 for the match.
Emmanuel's sophomore setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) dished out a match-high 47 helpers. Senior middle hitter Sophanna Lout (Allston, MA) gathered 12 digs, while senior captain Brendan Ellis (Chelmsford, MA) served 4 aces in the win. The Saints hit .245 as a team for the match and totaled 10 service aces in the 5 games. This win marked the second time in a row that Emmanuel has upset MIT on the Saints' home court.
The Engineers, who were ranked 7th in today's American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) national poll, were led by senior outside hitter Praveen Pamidimukkala's (Edison, NJ) match-high 25 kills. Rookie outside hitter Malcolm Bean (Rochester, NY) banged down 11 kills and junior middle hitter Scott Pollom (Indianapolis, IN) notched 5 blocks for MIT. Senior opposite Ryan Dean (Valencia, CA) recorded a match-high 19 digs, while sophomore setter Philip Rogoz (Lincolnwood, IL) dished out 41 assists in the effort.
Emmanuel will return to the court on Saturday (1/26), when the Saints host the Lasers of Lasell College in a non-conference match-up beginning at 4pm. MIT will play again on Thursday (1/24), when they host the Blazers of Elms College in a NECVA match at 7pm in Cambridge, MA.