PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Lasell College men's volleyball team faced off against the NCAA Division III defending national champions and current top-ranked Pride of Springfield College on Saturday afternoon, falling in straight sets at the Johnson & Wales University Tip-off Tournament at the Wildcat Center.

The Lasers were defeated by set scores of 25-16, 27-25 and 25-15. Lasell finishes the tournament with a 1-2 mark, while Springfield is now 4-1 to start the season.

Senior Jordan Aprea (Newington, Conn.) led the Lasers with 11 kills and a .276 attack percentage (11-3-29). Junior Scott Sterenberg (Oceanside, N.Y.) had five kills and sophomore Aaron Waitekus (Norwood, Mass.) added four kills and four blocks. Senior setter Andy Henriquez (Lawrence, Mass.) posted 23 assists and a team-high seven digs.

Lasell trailed 6-5 in the first set when Springfield rattled off six straight points to open up a 12-5 lead. The Lasers stayed within striking distance, trailing only 17-12, but the Pride answered with four points in a row and went on to take the set, 25-16.

The Lasers had the advantage in the second set, taking leads of 7-4 and 10-7 before Springfield battled back to tie the score at 15-all. The teams stayed within one point of each other until the Pride pulled out the win at the end of the set.

Springfield jumped out to a 9-4 lead to start the third set. Lasell came back to get to within three points at 16-13, but the Pride ran off six straight points to take a commanding 22-13 lead before closing out the set and the match.

Lasell, which plays its first 16 matches away from home, is back on the court next Thursday, January 31, with a non-conference match at Eastern Nazarene College (7:00 p.m.)

-- 30 --