NASHUA, N.H. – The Endicott men's volleyball team began their 2013 season with two of the nation's top teams in #13 Baruch and #7 Rivier at the Live Free or Die Tournament and despite two losses, the Gulls played hard under first year head coach George Chapell.
The Blue and Green return to Nashua to face off SUNY New Paltz, who was pre-ranked just outside the AVCA's top-15 poll, and NECC rival Daniel Webster in a non-conference showdown. The matches are at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm, respectively.
Endicott 1, #13 Baruch 1 (25-15, 25-20, 17-25, 26-24)
Led by 12 kills from junior right side Josh Anderson (La Canada, Calif.) and 11 kills from freshman outside John Osborne (Freehold, N.J.), Endicott managed stay within striking distance of the nation's 13th ranked team who earlier in the day had defeated #7 Rivier 3-1 on the Raiders own court.
Anderson's 12 kills matched a career-high that he set during his freshman campaign back on March 1st, 2011 in a home match against Southern Vermont.
Pacing the offense for the Gulls was freshman setter Tyler Bacon (Cypress, Calif.) who dished out 20 assists in his collegiate debut.
Defensively, Endicott's junior defensive specialist Aaron Jessee (Okinawa, Japan) led his squad with eight digs.
Endicott 0, #7 Rivier 3 (25-18, 25-9, 25-17)
In Endicott's straight set loss to #7 Rivier, the Gulls showed some defensive effort with six team blocks and another seven digs from Jessee but the Raiders used a .319 team hitting percentage and 22 assists from setter Steve Visentin (Cheshire, Conn.) to earn the win.
Anderson once again led the Blue and Green with four more kills while setters Bacon and junior Carter Roche (Clifton Park, N.Y.) combined for 13 assists against Rivier. Junior middle Mike Coniglione (Glenville, N.Y.) struck three kills while both Brennan Lowe (Malibu, Calif.) and Travis Netherton (Waukegan, Ill.) had two kills each.
Coniglione was also a presence at the net with two assisted blocks to go along with a solid offensive effort.
