Men’s Volleyball Edged by Endicott, 3-2

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's volleyball team suffered a hard-fought 3-2 setback to Endicott Tuesday evening at the Lahue Athletic Center.

The Lions dip to 10-8 on the year and 1-2 in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) with the result. The Gulls rise to 11-4 overall and 3-0 in league play with the win.

Alejandro Garcia Fernandez (San Juan, Puerto Rico) posted a match-high 23 kills while adding six digs, six total blocks, and three aces. Jacob Zarges (Quincy, Mass.) tallied eight kills, five digs, and five blocks. Aaron Huang (Quincy, Mass.) recorded 38 assists with six digs while Fernando Paredes (Passaic, N.J.) collected a team-best nine digs.

The home team established a 1-0 lead in the match after prevailing 25-18 in the first set.

The visitors bounced back to claim the second frame 30-28 to level the match at 1-1.

Eastern Nazarene regained a one-set advantage, 2-1, with a 25-23 victory in the third.

Endicott eked out a 26-24 decision in the fourth set to force a decisive fifth set.

The Gulls triumphed 15-12 in the fifth frame to seal their third-consecutive win.

Rafa Robert paced Endicott with 24 kills while Mason Mallory added 12 kills and six digs. Gavin Emenaker dished out 30 assists and Gabe DeBenedetto registered 18 assists.

Looking ahead, Eastern Nazarene travels to Nichols March 18 for a pivotal conference clash.