NEWTON, Mass. - Junior setter Jesus Garcia of the Lasell University men's volleyball team finished with a team-high 20 assists and match-leading 11 digs in a 3-1 victory over Endicott Thursday evening in the Athletic Center.

"We played an unbelievable team match today," said Garcia. "We have been working diligently on playing together as a team and that really showed. This was a fun match and our potential is scary. We cannot wait for the rest of this season because it is going to be a memorable one."

The Lasers (4-5) have won back-to-back matches and four of their last five. Jan Baranowski (8 kills), Jordan Shinaut (8 kills) and Brenden Joyce (7 kills) led the charge on offense, while Ryan Fuller came up with nine digs.

Lasell's defense was impressive, forcing the Gulls (4-2) into 27 errors. Tucker Merritt (4 block assists), Baranowski (2 solo blocks, 2 block assists), Joyce (3 block assists, 1 solo block) and Shinaut (2 block assists, 1 solo block) all made a considerable impact at the net.

"Tonight was a great step in the right direction," said Lasell University Men's Volleyball Head Coach Jeff Vautrin. "Endicott is a quality team and coming off a win over No. 4-ranked New York University. We knew the Gulls would be coming in confident and ready for a tough match. Our energy was great and we did our jobs. Our block was solid and definitely helped slow down a powerful offense on the other side of the net. Overall, Jan Baranowski had a great night to help us control the net and with the defensive efforts from Jesus Garcia and Ryan Fuller we were able to convert in transition."

Spencer Capps led the way for Endicott with a match-high 16 kills, while Nikolas Kasprzak chipped in with 11 kills. Gabe DeBenedetto compiled a match-best 35 assists for the visitors. 

The first set went back and forth early on, but Lasell was able to create some separation at 23-19 on a kill by Joyce. A service error by the Gulls clinched a 25-21 opening-set victory for the hosts.

Joyce tallied a kill and an ace, giving Lasell a 5-2 advantage in the second set. Another ace by Joyce gave the squad a 16-11 lead. Endicott hung around and cut the deficit down to 21-20 on a kill by Brady Mullens. The Lasers scored four of the final six points in the set to secure a 25-22 win.

A kill by Capps gave the Gulls a 17-9 cushion in the third set. Lasell refused to go quietly and a 9-1 run evened the score at 18-18. A kill by Kasprzak clinched a 25-20 third-set triumph for Endicott.

Lasell answered the challenge immediately in the fourth set, taking a 4-0 advantage behind three consecutive service points by Garcia. A kill by Shinaut gave the hosts a 17-9 lead. The Lasers ran away with the final set, as an ace by Baranowski clinched the match and led the team to a 25-13 fourth-set victory.

Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.

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