Men's Volleyball Splits Conference Tri-Match at Emerson

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

BASICS
Match 1
Score: Elms College 3 (25, 25, 25) | Dean College 0 (20, 18, 20)
Records: Blazers 6-18, 3-6 (GNAC) | Bulldogs 2-20, 0-11 (GNAC)

Match 2
Score: Elms College 0 (22, 22, 23) | Emerson College 3 (25, 25, 25)
Records: Blazers 6-19, 3-7 (GNAC) | Lions 8-13, 4-6 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Match 1
The opening set would see Elms with the early advantage after a service ace by first year Hunter Ladouceur (Wilbraham, Mass.) and kills from sophomores Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.) and Al Sánchez (Guayama, P.R.). Dean would try to narrow down their conference foe's lead, but the Blazers would continue to add to their lead with the assistance of four service aces by Sánchez, a block from Ladouceur and junior Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain), and kills by Sánchez and sophomore John Bellafronte (Enfield, Conn.). As the set neared its end, the Bulldogs would look to rally to win the set, but the Elms offense would close out the opening set with the help of a block from Uschmann and Artero, and kills by Ladouceur and senior Joshua Fernandez Garcia (Canovanas, P.R.) to win the first set 25-20.

The second set would once again begin with the Blazers early advantage, with the help of service aces by Ladouceur and Uschmann, kills from Uschmann, Bellafronte, and Artero, along with a block by Artero and Sánchez. Dean would once again try to rally to take a set, but Elms would continue to control the set after service aces from Sánchez, Uschmann, kills by Uschmann, Sánchez, Bellafronte, and Artero, and blocks from Artero and Ladouceur to win the second set 25-18.

The third and final set would see the Blazers score first after a kill by Bellafronte, but the Bulldogs would then take the first large lead, but Elms would continue to fight back. Following additional kills by Bellafronte, Uschmann, Sánchez, Artero, and sophomore James Davis (Leetsdale, Penn.), service aces by Bellafronte, Artero, and junior David Tompkins (Groton, Conn.), and two blocks by Artero, Uschmann to help the Blazers win the set 25-20 and secure the match over Dean 3-0.

Match 2

The opening set would begin with the two conferences foes battling for the early advantage, where Bellafronte would record the first kill for Elms, followed by kills from Uschmann and Ladouceur, but Emerson would take the lead. The Blazers would battle back, capitalize on errors by the Lions, blocks by Uschmann and first year Yazhua Marin Valentin (Springfield, Mass.), and kills from Sánchez, Uschmann, Artero, and Ladouceur to win the first set, 25-22.

The second set would start with a block by Marin Valentin and Uschmann followed by a kill from Uschmann, but Emerson would quickly take the lead from their intrastate foe. Elms would continue to battle back, with the assistance of kills from Bellafronte, Sánchez, and Uschmann, service aces by Sánchez and Bellafronte, and blocks Artero and Bellafronte, but the Lions would take the set 25-22.

The third and final set would see the Blazers with the offensive advantage early, with the kills by Bellafronte, Uschmann, and Ladouceur, along with a block by Marin Valentin and Uschmann. Shortly thereafter, Emerson would then take the momentum, scoring in six straight frames of play. Elms would continue to rally with help of kills from Artero, Uschmann, and Bellafronte, along with service aces by Ladouceur and Uschmann. Unfortunately, the Lions would take the set 25-23 and would sweep the Blazers 3-0 for the conference victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Artero: seven block assists, six kills, a service ace, and seven digs.

• Bellafronte: 20 kills, four service aces, eight digs, two assists, and a block assist.

• Davis: a kill.

• Fernandez Garcia: a kill, an assist, and a dig.

• Ladouceur: 51 assists, five kills, three service aces, 16 digs, and two block assists.

• Marin Valentin: 2 ½ blocks and two digs.

• Sánchez: eight digs, seven kills, six service aces, and a block assist.

• Tompkins: a service ace and a dig.

• Uschmann: 22 kills, five block assists, three service aces, and 12 digs.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will travel to Nashua, N.H. on Tuesday, April 1st for a conference match at Rivier University at 7 pm.

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