Men's Volleyball Splits Tri-Match at Emmanuel with a 3-2 Victory Over Bard

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

BASICS
Match 1
Score: Elms College 3 (20, 28, 20, 25, 15) | Bard College 2 (25, 26, 25, 22, 11)
Records: Blazers 5-1, 0-0 (GNAC) | Raptors 1-4, 0-0 (NEVC)

Match 2
Score: Elms College 1 (25, 21, 17, 21) | Emmanuel College 3 (21, 25, 25, 25)
Records: Blazers 5-2, 0-0 (GNAC) | Saints 3-5, 0-0 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
Match 1
Elms opened the first set aggressively, jumping out to an early lead behind efficient attacking from junior Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.) and first year Joe Culhane (Agawam, Mass.), with sophomore Hunter Ladouceur (Wilbraham, Mass.) and first year John Centeno Pagan (Manatí, P.R.) distributing the offense. Uschmann recorded multiple early kills, while Culhane added points on the right side to give Elms a 4-1 advantage. After a mid-set run by Bard fueled by blocks and Elms attack errors, the Blazers steadied themselves behind kills from junior John Bellafronte (Enfield, Conn.), senior Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain), and Culhane to stay within striking distance. Elms went on a key late surge as Culhane and Uschmann combined for several kills off sets from first year Chris Bousquet (Springfield, Mass.) and Ladouceur, while Centeno Pagan added a service ace to cut into the deficit. Despite continued pressure at the net and consistent offensive production, the Blazers would ultimately drop the opening set 25-20 after trading points down the stretch.

Elms battled through a back-and-forth early during the second set, responding early after trading service errors and settling into rhythm behind balanced offense from Artero, Uschmann, and Culhane. Uschmann and Culhane combined for multiple kills off consistent setting from Ladouceur, while the Blazers answered several Raptors runs with timely sideouts to keep the set within reach. Midway through the frame, Elms stayed composed as Culhane and Artero produced key swings, and Uschmann added pressure from the service line with an ace to spark momentum. Late in the set, Elms surged behind consecutive service aces from Ladouceur and strong net defense, including a critical block by Artero and Uschmann to take a brief lead. After the teams traded points in extra rallies, Elms closed the set with back-to-back kills by Culhane and Uschmann, capped by a Ladouceur kill, to secure a hard-fought 28-26 win and even the match.

Elms entered the third set with intensity, quickly trading points with the Raptors in the opening exchanges. Early kills from Bellafronte and Uschmann gave Elms a brief edge, but Bard stayed competitive but Artero produced consistent kills and pressure at the net. Elms relied on strong setting from Ladouceur and timely blocks from their front row to maintain momentum, with Culhane and Uschmann leading the offensive charge. Midway through the set, both teams exchanged leads in a series of long rallies, featuring service aces, attack errors, and powerful kills that kept the score tight. Despite Elms' efforts with multiple sideouts and kills by Culhane and Uschmann, Bard closed the set on a five-point run, including a service ace and two Elms attack errors, ultimately taking the third set 25-20.

Elms would come out strong in the fourth set, quickly establishing an early lead thanks to consistent kills from Bellafronte, Hunter, and Culhane, paired with timely blocks from their front row. The team's offense flowed smoothly, with Ladouceur's setting creating multiple opportunities and first year Juan Jones (Springfield, Mass.) and Uschmann contributing key points. Elms maintained control throughout the set, using smart net play and aggressive attacks to stay ahead. In the closing points, strong kills from Bellafronte, Culhane, and Jones secured the set for Elms, finishing 25-22, giving them momentum and a critical edge in the match.

Elms jumped out to an early lead in the fifth set, taking advantage of Bard's early attack errors to build a 2-0 advantage. The Blazers' front-row presence was strong, with Bellafronte and Uschmann producing key kills while Ladouceur ran an efficient offense. Bard tried to respond, but service errors and blocked attacks kept Elms ahead. The Blazers' depth showed, with strong contributions from Jones and Uschmann, maintaining momentum and pressure at the net. By the mid-point of the set, Elms held a 15-11 lead, demonstrating composure and strategic net play to put themselves in prime position to close out the match.

Match 2
Elms started the first set strong, immediately responding to early kills from Emmaneul with aggressive net play and smart ball distribution. Ladoucer and Culhane orchestrated the offense, finding Bellafronte and Uschmann for key kills, while the Blazers' blocking and court coverage caused Saints multiple attack errors. Despite Emmanuel's efforts Elms maintained control with consistent kills and capitalized on Saints mistakes. By the end of the set, Elms had built a decisive 25-21 lead, demonstrating effective teamwork, resilience under pressure, and strong front-row execution to take the opening set.

Elms came out strong in the second set, opening with four quick points thanks to smart attacking from Culhane and Uschmann and solid blocking at the net. Emmanuel fought back, but Elms kept pace with strong kills from Bellafronte, Jones, and Uschmann, and capitalized on the Saints errors, including service faults and attack mistakes.Despite Emmanuel's late rally, Elms maintained composure and executed precise attacks from Culhane, Uschmann, and Bellafronte to secure a 25-21 win in the second set, continuing their momentum from the first.

Elms started the third set with energy, but Emmanuel quickly took control. Elms managed some early points with kills from Culhane, Bellafronte, and Jones, but Emmanuel's consistent pressure and ability to capitalize on errors, both attacks and service faults, kept them ahead. The Saints maintained their dominance throughout, closing out the set 25-17 with precise kills from.

The fourth and final set would be a tightly contested battle early on, with both teams exchanging points through strong kills from Culhane, Bellafronte, and Artero for Elms. Early errors on both sides, including service faults and attack mishaps, made the score close through the first half of the set. Emmanuel began to pull away midway as they capitalized on Elms' mistakes, including attack errors at the net and service errors, while maintaining consistent pressure with smart kills and well-placed serves. Ultimately, the Saints would close out the set 25-21, using coordinated attacks and aggressive serving to secure the win despite Elms' late surge.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Ladouceur - 87 assists, 24 digs, six kills, three service aces, and two blocks.

• Bousquet - 39 digs and 13 assists.

• Bellafronte - 29 kills, 12 digs, and a block.

• Uschmann - 26 kills, 14 digs, five block assists, a service ace, and an assist.

• Culhane - 25 kills, 19 digs, three assists, and a block assist.

• Jones - 14 kills, six blocks, and six digs.

• Artero - 12 kills, five blocks, four digs, a service ace, and an assist.

• Centeno Pagan - two kills, a service ace, a dig, and an assist.

• Dzhenzherukhu - two assists and two digs.

• Sánchez - a dig.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will return to Picknelly Arena for a non-conference match against Curry College on Tuesday, January 27th at 7 pm.

--

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