VOLLEYBALL TEAM DOWNS LASERS IN GNAC SEMIFINALS
March 28, 2009
Nashua, NH - The Emmanuel College Men's Volleyball Team knocked off Lasell College in straight sets in the semifinals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament. Rivier College, which hosted the one-day GNAC tournament, defeated fourth-seeded Johnson & Wales University in the opening semifinal match. In the second semi-final match of the day, the Saints held off a determined Lasell team for the 3-0 victory (30-24, 30-24, 3-25). With the win, the Saints, who improved to 17-11 overall, advanced to the GNAC finals versus top-seeded Rivier.
Emmanuel was paced by a very even and effective attack. Outside hitter Curtis Abram (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) tallied 12 kills and 4 digs, outside hitter Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, Va.) had 9 kills and middle hitter Keoni Rabaino (Tucson, Ariz.) recorded 13 kills, hit .647, to go along with 5 blocks. Freshman middle hitter Alexander Petty (Wayland, Mass.) chipped in with 4 blocks and right side attacker Matt Salvi (Trumbull, Conn.) added 8 kills and 6 blocks. Junior setter Taylor Lowe (Malibu, Calif.) dished out 38 assists and gathered 10 digs in the win for the Saints.
Lasell was led by Dustin and Trevor Foster who tallied 16 and 10 kills, respectively. Dave Rogers added 9 kills in the loss. Freshman setter Brendan McGourn set a great offense, as he finished with 35 assists, but is wasn't enough to slow the Saints' attack.
Emmanuel will now take on Rivier College in the conference championship today at 4pm. Both teams have now earned automatic bids to the NECVA Championship Tournament to be held at MIT in Cambridge, Mass. starting Friday April 3, 2009.