Men's Volleyball Stung by AIC in Non-Conference Play

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - The Elms College Men's Volleyball team traveled to American International College for a non-conference match on Thursday evening.

BASICS
Score: Elms College 0 (22, 24, 20) | American International College 3 (25, 26, 25)
Records: Blazers 13-12, 1-3 (GNAC) | Yellow Jackets 2-15, 0-3 (ECC)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first set would see the two non-conference foes battle early, with Elms capitalizing on six kills from senior Rafa Artero (Madrid, Spain), junior Nick Uschmann (Agawam, Mass.), first year Joe Culhane (Agawam, Mass.), junior John Bellafronte (Enfield, Conn.), and first year Juan Jones (Springfield, Mass.). The AIC offense would then rally points to take a lead, but the Blazers would continue to rally back with assistance from four Uschmann kills, additional kills by Culhane and Bellafronte, but the Yellow Jackets would win the set 25-22.

The second set would begin with AIC recording the first point, but Elms would try to generate some momentum, with help from a block by Artero and first year David Dzhenzherukha (Agawam, Mass.), and kills from Artero and Bellafronte. As the set would continue, the Blazers would then take a larger lead, with Ushmann adding a kill, followed by a block by Uschmann and Jones, along with multiple errors committed by the Yellow Jackets. AIC would then rally some points, but Elms would continue to hold on to their lead, with Dzhenzherukha recording a kill and a block, Culhane and Artero each recording a kill, and a service ace and a kill by Jones. Then in the final moments in the set, it looked as if the Blazers would be able to win the set, but the Yellow Jackets would rally back, tie the set 24-24, and then would finish the set, 26-24 in AIC's favor.

The third and final set would start with another early lead for Elms, with Uschmann recording two kills and a block by Dzhenzherukha and Jones. The two neighboring schools would then battle for a substantial lead, with the Blazers seeing eight combined kills from Bellafronte, Artero, first year John Centeno Pagan (Manatí, P.R.), along with a block by Bellafronte and Artero. Unfortunately, AIC would defeat Elms 25-20 in the set and defeat the Blazers three sets to none.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Ladouceur: 16 assists and two digs.

• Bosuquet: ten digs and an assist.

• Uschmann: nine kills, three digs, and two blocks.

• Bellafronte: seven kills, five digs, a block assist, and an assist.

• Dzhenzherukha: seven assists, two digs, two blocks, and a kill.

• Culhane: six digs, two kills, and two block assists.

• Artero: five kills and three block assists.

• Centeno Pagan: two kills and a dig.

• Jones: two kills, two block assists, and a service ace.

UP NEXT: The Elms Men's Volleyball team will travel to Franklin, Mass. to face off against Dean College in a conference match on Saturday, March 28th at 12 pm.

--

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