Men’s Volleyball Drops Nail-Biter to Dean, 3-2

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's volleyball team suffered a hard-fought 3-2 loss to Dean Thursday evening at the Lahue Physical Education Center.

The Lions fall to 8-9 on the year and 3-3 in the New England Collegiate Conference. The Bulldogs improve to 9-7 overall and 4-2 in league action with the win.

Kenny Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) posted 19 kills and 19 digs to register his fifth double-double of the season. James Hoopes (Lenexa, Kan.) notched a career-high 12 kills and added four aces. Andrew Jayne (Quincy, Mass.) finished with 12 digs and six kills. Sunil Lepcha (Charlotte, N.C.) collected a season-best 15 digs while Brandon Jenkins (Norton, Mass.) chipped in with 10 digs. Matthew Tyree (Lansdale, Pa.) dished out 48 assists and tallied six digs on the night.

The visitors captured the opening frame 25-16 to grab a 1-0 edge.

The home side bounced back with a 25-18 win in the second to level the match at 1-1.

Eastern Nazarene established a 2-1 lead after prevailing 26-24 in the third set.

Dean pulled even at 2-2 with a 25-21 decision in the fourth set.

The Bulldogs triumphed 15-13 in the deciding fifth frame to earn their fifth-straight victory.

Diondre Gomes racked up a match-high 20 kills for Dean while Joel Carmona added 15 kills.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene hosts Newbury in the second meeting between the two teams March 17.