Men's Volleyball Tames Lions in Home Conference Victory

CHICOPEE, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Volleyball team hosted Emerson College for a conference match Thursday evening at Picknelly Arena.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 3 (25, 25, 19, 25) | Emerson College (20, 21, 25, 16)
Records: Blazers 5-15, 2-4 (GNAC) | Lions 6-11, 2-5 (GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening set would begin with Emerson putting up the first points, but then the Elms defense would answer quickly after a block by junior Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain), sophomores John Bellafronte (Enfield, Conn.) and Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.). The two conference foes would then trade points, including kills by first year Yazhua Marin Valentin (Springfield, Mass.) and Artero. The Blazers would then gain the lead following a kill by Bellafronte and a block by Artero and first year Hunter Ladouceur (Wilbraham, Mass.). The Lions would continue to try to obtain the lead, but Elms would continue to add to the lead with the assistance of a kill by sophomore Al Sánchez (Guayama, P.R.) and a block by Marin Valentin and Bellafronte. Emerson would continue to try to cut down their opponent's lead, but the Blazers would continue to add to their score after a kill and a service ace by Uschmann along with a kill by Bellafronte to win the set 25-19.

The second set would begin with five errors by the Lions and a pair of kills by Uschmann to earn a 7-0 lead. Following a timeout by Emerson, Elms would continue to add to their lead with kills by Uschmann and Bellafronte, along with service aces by Ladouceur and Uschmann. The Lions would try to rally back towards the end of the set, but following back-to-back kills by Sánchez and Bellafronte and a block by Artero, the Blazers would win the second set 25-21.

The third set would start with the two intrastate foes would battle for the early lead, with kills by Bellafronte and Sánchez, along with blocks by Uschmann and Marin Valentin. Emerson would gain the lead, but Elms would continue to battle after kills by Artero, Ladouceur, and Uschmann, along with blocks by Bellafronte, Artero, Uschmann, and Marin Valentin and a service ace from Uschmann. Unfortunately, the Lions would win the set 25-19.

The fourth and final set would begin by Emerson scoring the first two points of the set, but the Blazers would record a pair of kills from Sánchez and a service ace by Marin Valentin to begin a battle between the two sides. Shortly thereafter, Elms would gain a lead obtained by three-straight kills by Bellafronte and Ladouceur and would continue to add upon that lead with a combined four kills from Bellafronte, Uschmann, Sánchez, and Artero. The Lions would bring the score differential to two-points, but the Blazers offense would continue to extend their lead over their conference foes, following kills by Uschmann, Artero, and Bellafronte, a service ace by Ladouceur, and a bloke from Ladouceur, Artero, and Uschmann to secure the set 25-16 and defeat Emerson 3-1.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Bellafronte would make 12 kills, eight digs, five block assists, and an assist.

• Uschmann would add 11 kills, 15 digs, three service aces, and three block assists.

• Ladouceur would create 33 assists, three digs, two kills, and two service aces.

• Artero made six kills, five blocks, a dig, and an assist.

• Sánchez would make six kills, eight digs, and an assist.

• Marin Valentin would also add four block assists, a kill, a service ace, and a dig.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will travel to Boston, Mass. to compete in a conference tri-match at Emmanuel College against Regis College and the Saints on Saturday, March 22nd at 12 & 2 pm.

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