Newton, Mass (2/25/13) – The Lasell College men's volleyball team dropped their home opener to Daniel Webster in three sets. The Eagles improved to 7-5 on the year by winning 25-22, 25-15 and 25-21. The loss made the Lasers overall record 5-4 on the year.
The Lasers were lead by senior Chris Burns (Chelmsford, Mass.) who had a team high, nine digs, while sophomore Dan Raffol (Natick, Mass.) recorded 11 kills on the night. Freshman setter, Ryan Jackson (Massillon, Ohio) had 6 kills, 11 assists and five digs in the losing effort.
Daniel Webster was led by Joel Hendrix (Kane'ohe, Haw.) who had a match high, 17 kills, which were accompanied by five digs. Joe Walz (E. Longmeadow, Mass.) registered 13 kills and nine digs, while Ariel Frias (Lawrence, Mass.) led all players with 36 assists.
The first set started quickly in the Eagles favor as they jumped out to a 4-1 run to begin the night before Lasell started to battle back. Lasell knotted things up at 16, using a 6-2 spurt following a timeout. The Eagles would answer back with their 5-1 run to make it 21-17, and Hendrix sealed set one for Daniel Webster with a kill after being set up by Frias.
Daniel Webster started the second set again with a 9-4 run. The Lasers battled to try to keep the score close, but Daniel Webster pushed out to an eight-point lead with the score 18-10, before Lasell called timeout. The efficient Eagles overcame a brief three-point rally by the Lasers, which made the 21-14, before claiming the set with a 4-1 run to make it 25-15.
The Lasers took their first lead of the night as they started 4-2 in the third set. Daniel Webster responded with five unanswered points to make it 7-4. The Eagles pushed their edge to 17-12 before Lasell cut into the lead with a 4-2 run to make it 19-16. Daniel Webster would regain their five-point lead as they went on their 4-2 stretch to make it 23-18. Lasell scored three unanswered to cut the visitors lead to 23-21, but a Hendrix kill ended the rally and the match.
Daniel Webster returns to action on Wednesday February 27th when they pay a visit to Regis College at 7:00 p.m. Lasell's will be back on the road Thursday, February 28, as they travel begin conference play against Rivier College at 8:00 p.m.