POUGHKEEPSIE, NY- Lasell College finished third at the Vassar College Invitational on Saturday behind no. 1 nationally ranked Nazareth College and the hosting Brewers after dropping a 3-1 match to the home team on Saturday.  Vassar defeated the Lasers 25-22 in the first set before the Lasers returned to win the second by the same score.  The Brewers topped Lasell 25-15 and 25-20 in the final two games of the weekend.

The Lasers stormed out to a fast start in set one before the Brewers came back to tie the score up at 20-all.  Following a block by Matthew Elgin, Vassar took the lead for good.

The teams battled through multiple ties early in the second set before Lasell tore off on a 7-0 run to take a 17-9 lead. Vassar fought back to climb within four points before the Lasers ultimately sealed the game. 

Vassar never trailed in the third set, coming out on fire to take an 18-9 lead.  Lasell tried to play catch-up but the Brewers cruised on to take the match lead.

In the match-deciding game, favor seemed to lean towards the visiting Lasers who held the lead through an 18-all tie.  Vassar then reeled off six straight points which clinched the match.

Spencer Parker (Newington, CT) led all players with 14 kills while hitting 32.3%.  Parker also tied for a game-best eight digs with teammate Max Vaughan (Wethersfield, CT). Harry Strobel (Westport, CT) added nine kills and six digs and Mike Harrington (Billerica, MA) swung away for eight points on his attack.   Harrington also had one solo and two assisted blocks.

Setting up the offense was freshman setter Andrew Glenn (Westport, CT) who dished out 37 assists.  Alex Mill (Danville, NH) and Micah Aiu (Honolulu, HI) chipped in to the defense with six and five digs, respectively.

The Lasers return to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Monday, February 21^st when they face No. 8 nationally ranked Rivier College at 6:00 p.m. At the close of that match, the Lasers will challenge Daniel Webster College in non-conference play.  Game time for the match against the Eagles is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.