Newton, MA – The Lasell College men's volleyball team opened their 2012 season by defeating the Nighthawks from Newbury College 3-1, by scores of 19-25, 25-18, 25-17, and 27-25. With the victory the Lasers avenged last year's 3-0 loss in the ECAC semifinals to Newbury which ended their season. Freshman Dan Raffol(Natick, MA) tallied a match high 17 kills in his collegiate debut, junior Alex Mill(Danville, NH) played a solid all-around game chipping in 10 kills, 10 digs and freshman setter Matt Dugan(New Lenox, IL) directed a potent Lasell attack totaling 34 assists to help the hosts open the season with a win. Chi Yin Li(Framingham, MA) and Danny Kim(Plainview, NY) paced the Nighthawks attack with 13 and 12 kills respectively, as both added 10 digs as well. Lasell is now 1-0 on the year, while Newbury fell to 2-2.
The Nighthawks opened the first set by jumping out to an 8-3 lead, only to watch the Lasers battle back and cut the lead to a point at 9-8. Newbury again pushed their advantage to five, and while Lasell battled, they were unable to overcome their eight attacking errors in the opening set ultimately falling 19-25.
Lasell responded by grinding out the second set 25-18, using an efficient attack that tallied 10 kills while only committing three attacking errors. The third set saw Lasell again put together a solid performance, building an 11-7 lead and never having the margin fall below four the rest of the set.
The fourth set was a back and forth affair, featuring seven ties and eight lead changes, and neither team leading by more than four points. Newbury led 23-20, only to see the hosts score the next three points to draw even at 23 apiece. Lasell fought off consecutive set point opportunities for the Nighthawks, and strung together three straight points to win the fourth set 27-25.
The Nighthawks will travel to Endicott College on Thursday February 9th for a 7pm NECC matchup, while Lasell will return to action a week from now when they take on Daniel Webster College in non-conference action on February 14th.
