BOSTON, Mass. — The Endicott men's volleyball team defeated Emmanuel, 3-0, by scores of 25-21, 25-18, and 37-35 on Wednesday night at Yosinoff Court.
Rafa Robert (San Juan, Puerto Rico) and Spencer Capps (Lake Bluff, Ill.) both recorded career highs in kills to highlight the Gulls.
Robert compiled a match-high 17 kills on 26 swings (.462) and Capps registered 15 putaways (.346) in the sweep.
Meanwhile, Gabe DeBenedetto (Rockford, Ill.) ran the majority of the offense (.268) via a season-high 24 assists.
The Gulls also saw Gavin Emenaker (Newton, Mass.) dish out a season-high 18 assists, all in the marathon third set.
Defensively, Endicott held Emmanuel to season-lows in hitting percentage (-.068) and kills (16) to come away with the road victory.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Endicott is 19-7 all-time against Emmanuel (six straight wins, 4-of-6 victories have been shutouts).
- First 3-0 start to a season since 2018.
- Tonight's third set (37-35) is the longest in program history for the Gulls since the sport moved away from a 30-point scoring format in 2011 to its current 25-point scoring format.
- The previous program-best was 31-33 against No. 13 nationally ranked Wentworth on February 6, 2020. The Gulls won that match on the road, 3-1.
- Endicott is 6-2 overall in matches that have featured at least one set go 30 or more points since 2011.
- Tonight's match featured 23 ties and nine lead changes, 19 and nine of which came in the third set alone.
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (3-0) takes on No. 5 nationally ranked New York University on Friday, February 4 at 8 PM as part of the International Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic, hosted by No. 1 Springfield College.
Emmanuel (2-2) hosts Emerson (10 AM) and Rivier (2 PM) on Saturday, January 29.
For the latest on Endicott Athletics, follow the Gulls on social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
(Photo Credit - Ryan Atkins '23)
