Men's Volleyball Loose in a Tough Conference Tri-Match at Emmanuel

BOSTON, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Volleyball team traveled to Emmanuel College for a conference tri-match against Regis College and the Saints Saturday afternoon.

BASICS
Match 1
Score: Elms College 3 (17, 22, 24) | Regis College 3 (25, 25, 26)
Records: Blazers 5-16, 2-5 (GNAC) | Pride 15-10, 3-6 (GNAC)

Match 2
Score: Elms College 0 (15, 18, 19) | Emmanuel College 3 (25, 25, 25)
Records: Blazers 5-17, 2-6 (GNAC) | Saints 13-10, 6-3 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED 

Match 1

The opening set would begin with Elms recording two kills by sophomore Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.), followed by a kill from first year Yazhua Marin Valentin (Springfield, Mass.), but Regis would earn the early 6-3 lead. As the Pride looked to extend their lead, the Blazers would continue to battle back, after a kill by sophomore Al Sánchez (Guayama, P.R.),  junior Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain), sophomore John Bellafronte (Enfield, Conn.), and Uschmann and blocks by Artero, first year Hunter Ladouceur (Wilbraham, Mass.), Marin Valentin, and Uschmann. Unfortunately, Regis would win the first set 25-17.

The second set would begin by the first point being recorded by the Pide, followed by a kill from Bellafronte, but Regis would continue to control the narrative earning a 7-2 lead. Elms would continue to add kills by Bellafronte, Uschmann, Sánchez, Artero, Ladouceur, along with service aces from Ladouceur and Bellafronte, to force a late rally, but the Pride would once again win the set 25-21.

The third and final set would see the Blazers scoring early, following a block from Marin Valentin and Uschmann for the opening point, along with a kill by Uschmann, but Regis would then take a 5-3 lead. Elms would continue to create opportunities for themselves, following a kill from Ladoucuer, Artero recording two kills and a service ace, including a kill and a service ace on back-to-back frames, two kills by Uschmann, and Bellafrotne adding a kill and a service ace to tie the set 20-20. As the final set neared its end, the Blazers would see a kill from Marin Valentin and a service ace by junior David Tompkins (Groton, Conn.), but the Pride would secure the sweep after winning the set 26-24. 

Match 2

The opening set would begin with the two conference foes battling for the early lead, with Uschmann recording two kills, along with a kill by Marin Valentin, but Emmanuel would take the first lead, 6-4.  As the Saints would continue to add to their lead, Elms continued to rally after a combined four kills by Bellafronte and Marin Valentin, along with a block from sophomore James Davis (Leetsdale, Penn.), but Emmanuel would win the set 25-25.

The second set would begin with the Saints earning the early lead, but Uschmann and Bellafronte would record back-to-back kills to tie the set 2-2. As the set continued, Bellafronte and Uschmann would add a combined seven kills, along with a kill by Ladoucuer, but Emmanuel would win the second set 25-18.

The third and final set would start by the Saints scoring the first five points. Elms would capitalize on eros by Emmanuel, but the Saints defense would hold strong throughout the opening moments of the set. The Blazers would see a combined ten kills by Marin Valentin, Bellafrotne, sophomore Najere Bolan (St. Ann Parrish, Jamaica), Uschmann, but Emmanuel would secure the set 25-19, and win the conference match 3-0.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Bellafronte would make 22 kills, 14 digs, two service aces, and an assist.

• Uschmann would add 17 kills, nine digs, and four block assists.

• Ladouceur would create 40 assists, three kills, eight digs, two block assists, and a service ace.

• Artero made five kills, four blocks, three digs, and a service ace.

• Sánchez would make 10 digs, four kills, and an assist.

• Marin Valentin would also add five kills, two block assists, two digs, and an assist.

• Tompkins would record a service ace and a dig.

• Bolan would create a kill and a block assist.

• Davis would add a block to his season totals.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will host Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a non-conference match on Thursday, March 27th at 7 pm at Picknelly Arena.

--

For continuing coverage of Elms College Athletics, visit www.ecblazers.com and follow the Blazers on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.