CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Endicott men's volleyball won in straight sets over Johnson & Wales (R.I.) and Emerson on day one of the MIT Invitational to improve to 6-3 overall on the season. The Gulls have won six straight matches heading into day two of the tournament against #10 Rivier and Lasell. 

The Gulls have already matched up with the nationally ranked Rivier Raiders this season, falling 3-0 on the road at the Live Free or Die Invitational when Rivier was ranked #7 according to the AVCA.  

Endicott is 5-26 all-time against Rivier while they are undefeated at 20-0 against Lasell.  Each of their last two matches against Lasell have gone to five sets, however. 

Match One vs Johnson & Wales (R.I.)

Endicott handed Johnson & Wales (R.I.), a team that took a set against Rivier just three days earlier, a 3-0 (25-19, 25-14, 27-25) defeat in the first match of day one at the MIT Invitational. 

Junior captain Travis Netherton (Waukegan, Ill.) totaled an errorless nine kills on 13 attempts to lead the Gulls.  Freshman setter Tyler Bacon (Cypress, Calif.) continued his strong start to the season with 34 assists and defensively, outside Brennan Lowe (Malibu, Calif.) had eight strong digs.  

Endicott improved to 15-8 all-time against Johnson & Wales (R.I.) including seven straight victories dating back to February 9th, 2007.  

Match Two vs Emerson 

After falling in straight sets host MIT earlier in the day, Emerson fell 3-0 (25-8, 25-17, 25-19) to Endicott.  The Gulls improved to 4-0 all-time versus Emerson with three of the past victories coming at the MIT Invitational.  

Junior captain Mike Conilgione (Glenville, N.Y.) paced the Blue and Green attack with eight kills on 20 swings with no errors.  Bacon, once again, dished out 34 assists and Lowe was a presence on defense with eight more digs. 

Tomorrow's matches against #10 Rivier and Lasel will be played at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, respectively, in Cambridge, Massachusetts.