ELMS RALLIES PAST EMMANUEL IN 5-GAME THRILLER
Jan. 30, 2008
Chicopee, MA, - The visiting Saints fell to host Elms College in a non-conference men's volleyball match on Tuesday night. Emmanuel went down in five games, (30-22, 26-30, 30-20, 26-30, 12-15). This was the Saints' fourth 5-game match in a row. With this loss, Emmanuel fell to 3-2 on the season, while Elms improved to 2-3, winning its second-straight match.
Elms College rookie outside hitter Alberto Bravo (Toa Baja, Puerto Rico) blasted out a match-high 28 kills. With the Blazers clinging to a 10-9 lead in the deciding fifth game, Bravo knocked down his final kill of the night to extend Elms College's lead to 11-9. Bravo and freshman middle blocker Curt Despard (Enfield, CT) then teamed up to deliver crucial block assists on the next rally to give the Blazers what proved to be an insurmountable 12-9 advantage.
The two teams exchanged three straight points, and with the Blazers leading 13-11, junior outside hitter Marc Carrasco (Tucson, AZ) delivered a crucial kill and sophomore setter Ivan Andujar (Carolina, Puerto Rico) followed with his only block of the night on match-point to seal the victory.
Andujar, who currently ranks second in the NECVA in assists, recorded a match-high 59 helpers and 11 digs on the night for the Blazers.
Freshman outside hitter Carlos DeLeon-Gomez (Carolina, Puerto Rico) was also solid for the Blazers, as he finished with 20 kills, while Carrasco and Despard added six kills apiece. Despard also delivered a match-high five total blocks in the victory.
Sophomore outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, VA) was outstanding for the Saints, as he finished with 20 kills and hit .441 for the match. Freshman outside hitter Curtis Abram (San Luis Obispo, CA) added 16 kills and two solo blocks, while sophomore setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, CA) recorded 46 assists in the effort.
The Saints' loss was just the second in 11 all-time meetings between Emmanuel and Elms. Elms College returns to non-conference play on Friday (2/1) at Lasell College in a 7pm start. Emmanuel is back in action on Saturday (2/2) in a non-conference tri-match at Newbury College. The Saints will be taking on Wentworth at 12:30pm and host Newbury at 2pm.