For Immediate Release: Lasell Athletics
February 8, 2010

Newton, MA - Lasell's men's volleyball team swept Lesley University, 3-0, in non-conference action this evening in quick sets; 30-18, 30-22, 30-14. Lasell had top performances from freshman outside hitter Spencer Parker (Newington, CT), who totaled nine kills in two sets, as well as junior middle Dan Rogers (Belchertown, MA), junior middle Mike Harrington (Billerica, MA), and junior right side Matt Roberts (Agawam, MA), who each collected eight kills in the match.

Lesley opened the first set with a 2-0 lead. Lasell, however, took the control back with a kill down the line by Micah Aiu (Honolulu, HI), making the score 3-2. The Lynx tied things up twice after that in the early points, however, the Lynx return was short-lived as Lasell regained control with a tip from the middle by Rogers. A 6-0 run gave Lasell a 16-10 lead, at which point Lesley was dug into a hole they did not return from. Brendan McGourn (Southington, CT) served two aces to get to game point and a kill by Harrington closed the set, 30-18, in favor of the hosting Lasers.

Parker and Harrington were unstoppable in the set, with each of them putting down five kills for Lasell. McGourn put up 14 helpers as the setter, and Chris Burns (Chelmsford, MA) collected five digs as the Lasers' libero.

Scott Wheeler (East Hampton, CT) led defensively for Lesley in the set with three digs, and Nick Assad (Andover, MA) put down four kills on seven attempts for a .429 clip.

Lesley began the second set with an ace to the deep corner of the court to go up 1-0. Lasell then went on a 5-1 stretch, yet the Lynx held tight and came back to tie the score at seven-all, capitalizing on Laser errors. Matt Roberts (Agawam, MA) slammed down an attack from the right side and the Lasers were able to pull ahead by two in the next rotation, but Lesley came back to tie things again at ten-all. At this point, Lasell took over, going ahead by seven points, at 20-13, with three kills by Roberts to the middle of the court.

Lesley pulled back in within four points with Wheeler serving, but a second-ball tip by McGourn gave Lasell the possession back. With a score of 25-20, Lasell pulled away once again, allowing the Lynx just two more points as they closed in on set-point. The Lasers took set two, 30-22, on an attack error by Lesley.

Lasell took control in the opening set with three quick aces but the Lynx kept it the game within a respectable reach through the single-digits. A short corner opposite attack by Will Leclerc (Fairfield, CT) gave Lasell a 10-5 lead, followed shortly after by a huge solo block by Rogers, giving Lasell a 14-6 edge. After another Rogers kill and an ace by Parker, the Lasers held onto a double-figure lead through the remainder of the match. Lasell swept match, taking set three, 30-14.

Lesley's offense was led by Assad who notched seven kills in the match. Stephan Siragusa (Valley Stream, NY) distributed 12 assists and picked up three digs, and Wheeler led the lynx defensively with 6 digs.

For the hosting Lasers, Burns collected a game-high seven digs, while Leclerc, Aiu, Parker, and Alex Mills (Danville, NH) each tallied five. McGourn put up 41 assists and added five service aces. The Lasers hit a .329 clip as a team in the match.

Lasell's next contest is slated for Friday, February 12th at 7:00 p.m. when they will host Great Northeast Athletic Conference foes Johnson & Wales at home.  Lesley hosts Elms College in New England Collegiate Conference competition on Tuesday, February 9th at 8:00 p.m.