SAINTS DROP 1ST-ROUND NECVA MATCH TO NAZARETH
April 3, 2009
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - No. 2 Nazareth College defeated No. 15 Emmanuel College, 30-26, 31-29, 30-20 in the first round of the North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) Championship Tournament on Friday. With the win, the nationally-ranked No. 5 Golden Flyers improved to 26-4 on the year and will take on either Newbury College or Philadelphia Biblical University in quarterfinal action on Saturday. The Saints wrapped up their season with a program-best overall record of 19-13.
The Golden Flyers hit at a clip of .381 with Kelvin Rolle leading the way with a .562 hitting percentage to go along with 10 kills and three blocks. Joe Petzoldt tallied 10 kills, four digs, two aces, and two blocks as Billy Gimello posted a team-high 12 kills and four digs. Frank Leahy totaled 40 assists, four digs, and two blocks while Chris DeHority paced Nazareth with five digs.
Second-Team All-Conference selection Curtis Abram (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) powered Emmanuel with 16 kills, a .393 hitting performance, and two blocks. First-Team All-GNAC pick Michael Townsend (Beaverdam, Va.) chipped in 11 kills, ive digs, and four aces, while sophomore middle Cameron Todd (Los Angeles, Calif.) registered five blocks.
Junior Taylor Lowe (Malibu, Calif.) and sophomore Sean O'Connor (Hampstead, N.H.) shared setting duties, finishing with 22 and 12 assists, respectively. Sophomore captain Jacob DeLuise (Wakefield, R.I.) anchored the defense in his libero slot with five digs, while O'Connor added four of his own. The Saints lost 2nd-Team All-GNAC selection Keoni Rabaino (Tucson, Ariz.) mid-way through the opening set, as the sophomore middle left the match with a knee injury.
This was Emmanuel's third NECVA Tournament appearance in program history. The Saints wrapped up their historic campaign with a program-best 19 wins this season.