NEWTON, Mass. - The second-seeded Lasell University men's volleyball team kept rolling Thursday evening, as the Lasers punched their ticket to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference championship game with a thrilling 3-1 triumph over third-seeded Rivier during the semifinals in the Athletic Center.
"We played a great match today," said Lasell University Men's Volleyball Head Coach Jeff Vautrin. "Rivier is a very strong, historic and experienced team. With the Raiders' senior leadership and having two phenomenal volleyball minds in David Smith and Pedro Campos, we knew it was going to be a hard-fought match. Our guys really stepped up. With a starting lineup of four freshmen and three juniors, we knew it would be a great learning experience as well. Jesus Garcia, Brenden Joyce and Jan Baranowski were the rock we needed tonight."
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The Lasers (22-8, 14-2 GNAC) advance to their fourth GNAC title game since 2011. The 2015 team, which included Vautrin, won the conference championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Lasell has embarked on a historic 2022 season, including defeating No. 1-ranked Springfield, 3-1, on March 1, marking the first time the program defeated Springfield and also the first time defeating the No. 1-ranked team in the nation. The Lasers defeated the Raiders (17-10, 13-3 GNAC) in 2-of-3 matches this season. Lasell will face a tall task in the GNAC title game Saturday at 7 p.m., as it travels to top-seeded and No. 10-ranked Wentworth (27-4, 15-1 GNAC). The two teams split the regular-season series, which each squad holding serve at home.
On Thursday, the Lasers were led by Joyce (15 kills, 7 digs), Baranowski (9 total blocks, 7 kills), Jordan Shinaut (11 kills, 7 total blocks) and Garcia (43 assists). Joyce tallied a hitting percentage of .424. Lasell set program records in block assists (22) and total blocks (28) during a four-set match.
"Tonight's match was an unreal, pressure-packed match," said Garcia. "As a team, we responded really well, played our match and did our job. This was a huge step for us as a team and I could not be more proud of us. The support we had from the crowd today and for the whole season has been incredible. They were a huge part of our season so far. We have a huge matchup ahead of us on Saturday against Wentworth. We are only getting better and Saturday will be a barn burner of a match. We cannot wait to compete."
Leading the way for the Raiders were Smith (19 kills, 8 digs), Campos (47 assists), Sokunbuth Ly (16 kills) and Jack Hromada (12 digs).
The Lasers compiled 15 kills in the first set and recorded a team hitting percentage of .462. Rivier built a 21-18 advantage in the opening set, but a kill by Baranowski, assisted by Garcia, gave the Lasers a 25-23 victory.
The Raiders responded in the second set, building an 18-11 cushion on a kill by Ethan Soltis. Lasell answered with an 11-5 run, cutting the deficit down to 23-22. The visitors won the set, 25-22, with a game-clinching service ace by Isaac Borges.
The Lasers showed a great deal of mental toughness during the third set. A kill by Smith put the Raiders in front, 25-24, and gave Rivier game point and on the verge of taking a 2-1 lead. Vautrin took a timeout and the Lasers came through in the clutch with three consecutive points, earning a 27-25 triumph. The late run was powered by a kill from Joyce and two service points by Garcia.
"Our communication and energy were great on the floor as well and our fans today really helped in keeping our energy high," said Vautrin. "I would like to say thank you to the Lasell community for its support and a special congratulations to everyone that is currently in our program on their first conference playoff win."
The fourth set was tied at 13-13, and then Lasell embarked on a 12-5 run to clinch a 25-18 victory. Zak Burkett delivered the match-clinching ace.
Director of Athletic Communications Trevor Wenners can be reached at twenners@lasell.edu.
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