Men’s Volleyball Falls to NECC Leader Endicott, Rallies Past Newbury

BROOKLINE, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's volleyball team fell to conference-frontrunner Endicott 3-0 before rallying to defeat Newbury 3-2 Saturday afternoon in a tri-match hosted by Newbury College at Hellenic College's Pappas Gymnasium.

Eastern Nazarene progresses to 9-8 on the year and 4-6 in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) with the two results. The Gulls improve to 16-9 overall and 9-0 in league play while the Nighthawks slip to 6-12 on the season and 3-6 in conference competition.

Kenny Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) racked up a team-high 24 kills and 23 digs to lead the Lions. Derek Fowler (Williamstown, N.J.) posted seven kills, 12 digs, and six total blocks on the day. Andrew Shaw (Weymouth, Mass.) finished with 13 digs and seven kills. Colin Fischer (Lansdale, Pa.) chipped in with 11 kills while James Garofalo (Commack, N.Y.) added seven kills. Matthew Tyree (Lansdale, Pa.) registered 46 assists on the afternoon to go with a pair of kills.

In their first match of the day, the Lions dropped a 3-0 decision to league-leader Endicott.

Eastern Nazarene suffered a 25-12 loss in the opening set as the Gulls established a 1-0 edge.

Endicott claimed a 2-0 lead as it cruised to a 25-9 win in the second frame. The Gulls prevailed in the third game 25-13 to remain undefeated in conference play.

In the second tilt of the afternoon, the Lions clawed past Newbury in five sets for the second time this season.

Eastern Nazarene triumphed in the opening frame 25-21 to grab a 1-0 lead.

The Nighthawks captured the second set 25-15 and the third 25-23 to jump ahead 2-1.

The Lions leveled the match at 2-2 with a 25-21 decision in the fourth game.

Eastern Nazarene edged Newbury in the deciding fifth set 15-13 to collect a crucial conference win, 3-2.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene travels to Pine Manor March 28.