Men's Volleyball Goes 2-1 to Open 2011 Season at the Rivier Tournament

NASHUA, NH- The Lasell College men's volleyball team opened the 2011 season going 2-1 at the Rivier College Tournament this weekend, falling in their first contest to no. 13 Endicott College, 3-2, before rebounding for wins over Elmira College, 3-1, and Wentworth, 3-0.

Lasell fought hard through five sets before ultimately falling to the nationally ranked Gulls in their opening match of the season on Saturday afternoon.  Endicott took the first and third sets by scores of 25-21 and 25-10 while Lasell rebounded for victories in the 2nd and 4th games, 25-18 and 25-21.  The deciding set came down to the wire with a score of 15-12. 

Sophomore outside hitter Harry Strobel (Westport, CT) put away a team-leading 16 kills against the Gulls, adding four digs and two solo blocks.  Classmate and fellow outside hitter Spencer Parker (Newington, CT) notched 12 kills, four digs, and four blocks for the Lasers in the losing effort.  

Senior middle Mike Harrington (Billerica, MA) led the team in attack percentage, producing five kills on eight attempts with no errors, good for a .625 clip.  Rookie setter Andrew Glenn (Westport, CT) distributed 37 assists in the match, while also picking up three digs and Alex Mill (Danville, NH) and Micah Aiu (Honolulu, HI) matched with six kills each. 

On Sunday, the Lasers earned their first win of the season with a 3-1 triumph over Elmira College by scores of 26-24, 17-25, 25-21, and 25-20.  Parker led all hitters in the match with 16 kills while Aiu followed close behind with 11 kills, hitting 61%, with zero miscues.    Glenn came away with 37 helpers and five digs in the non-conference contest and Mill dug up a team-best nine digs. Harrington and Strobel each put down seven kills in the Lasers first victory. 

In the final match of the weekend, the Lasers swept Wentworth Institute of Technology, 25-23, 25-21, 25-19.  

Glenn dished out 24 assists and chipped in with four digs.  Parker and Strobel each produced eight kills and five digs.  Parker also added two service aces and a solo block.  Aiu and Harrington contributed five kills apiece, with Aiu also tallying four digs. 

Lasell will travel to SUNY-IT next weekend, January 22nd and 23rd, for the SUNY IT Tournament.  The Lasers will face Sage College at 2:00 p.m. and Stevenson College at 4:00 p.m. on the 22nd and then will challenge Hilbert and the hosts, SUNYIT, on the 23rd at 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.