NASHUA, N.H. – The Endicott men's volleyball team traveled to Rivier for day two of the Live Free or Die Tournament on Sunday afternoon. The Gulls fell to regional opponent Lasell in the 11:00 a.m. match 3-0 and then dropped their second match of the day to their third nationally ranked opponent on the season, #9 Rivier 3-0 despite strong efforts. Endicott sits at 1-6 as they head into conference play on Tuesday when they travel to Regis for a 7:00 p.m. matchup and 2014 NECC Semifinal re-match.
Two days later the Blue and Green will hold their home opener on Thursday as they host NECC foe Elms at 7:00 p.m. Endicott will look to defend their title as they start conference play and snap their six game losing streak. Endicott is 23-2 all-time with the Blazers claiming five straight meetings with the last loss dating back to April 14, 2012.
Lasell 3, Endicott 0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-18)
In the early game of the Live Free or Die Tournament, Endicott dropped their first match to the Lasers in their 22 meetings. The Blue and Green were led by seven kills apiece from junior, outside hitters, John Osborne (Freehold, N.J.) and Dan Seaver (Milford, Mass.). On the 29 total kills for Endicott, junior Cameron Little (San Diego, Calif.) boasted a team high 17 assists.
Despite the attack efforts from the Gulls, Endicott struggled to contain the Laser offensive pressure as they earned 40 total kills, led by a match high from junior Jeff Vautrin (Chicopee, Mass.) who hit 12 on 17 swings (.647) while senior outside, Dan Raffol (Natick, Mass.) also tallied 12 on his 24 attempts (.417). Junior Andrew Glenn (Westport, Conn.) kept the momentum going for Lasell as the playmaker producing a match high 37 assists.
Osborne worked the strong serves by Lasell gaining a team high eight digs but Endicott was shut down on the service line as freshman Alex Moule (Rockaway Beach, N.Y.) made an impressive 16 digs to help give the Lasers an edge throughout the match.
The second set was the strongest for Endicott has both sides went point for point with four ties throughout. However the Lasers put up a final push in the final 10 points to take control which led to the eventual 3-0 victory.
#9 Rivier 3, Endicott 0 (25-21, 25-21, 25-15)
In the Gulls second match of the day with #9 Rivier the Blue and Green held strong in the first two sets with a 25-21 score each while struggling in the third set losing 25-15. Junior Alex Wasik (Milford, Mass.) led Endicott on the attack producing six kills on just 15 attempts for a .200 mark. Osborne held strong off the Rivier serves picking up a match high nine digs followed by seven apiece from senior Kristian Catalan (Sudbury, Mass.) and freshman Troy Riorden (Fairport, N.Y.).
The nationally ranked Raiders posted a strong offensive attack as sophomore Tyler Blank (Rochester, N.Y.) totaled a match high 25 assists to go towards the team total 35 kills, while senior Chris Markuson (Cupertino, Calif.) boasted a match high nine kills on 29 swings (138). Sophomore Ian Wolski (Westfield, Mass.) was on fire as he followed Markuson with seven kills on just 11 attempts for a strong .636 mark.
Despite the offensive push from Rivier, Endicott held strong with efforts from outside, Riorden who helped orchestrate the attack with his 15 assists that went towards the 22 total Gull kills while hitting .167 and adding a block assist.
The match was highlighted by strong efforts in the second set as the Gulls came back from an opening five point deficit and tying the set three times with a kill from Riorden and a service ace from sophomore Ryan Sutherland (Fairport, N.Y.).
