BROOKLINE, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball team set a program record with its sixth straight win to start the season as the Leopards defeated Newbury, 3-0. Freshman opposite hitter Sam Pisker (Mullica Hill, N.J.) led the Leopards to victory, hitting .600 on the night recording a match-high seven kills on 10 attempts with just one error.
Wentworth wasted no time and set the tone of the match early. First year outside hitter Jake Reed (Arvada, Colo.) powered the Leopard offense registering a set-high seven kills while junior middle blocker Sean Donahue (Lincoln, R.I.) anchored the defensive line tallying three total blocks – one solo, two assisted as the Leopards claimed the first set 25-10.
Reed sparked a 6-0 Leopard run with back-to-back service aces to begin game two and give Wentworth an 8-1 cushion before Newbury first year middle hitter Billy Stephen (Windermere, Fla.) answered with a kill to break up the scoreless stretch. The Nighthawks battled valiantly, cutting the Leopard lead down to six midway through the set, but it was as close as they got. Along with Reed, Wentworth first year middle hitter Alex Potts (Niverville, N.Y.) was perfect from the floor registering a second set-high, three kills on three attempts to lead the Leopards to the 25-13 victory.
With a commanding 2-0 advantage, Wentworth looked in control of the third set, grabbing a quick 6-1 lead but the Nighthawks were not going to go away quickly. Stephen lit a fire and ignited a 6-0 Nighthawk run which included three service aces from junior outside hitter Chi Yin Li (Framingham, Mass.) to knot up the game at 7-7.
Newbury hung tough against Wentworth matching them point-for-point midway through the third set. However, the Leopards proved to be too much, pulling away with an 8-1 run to take a 18-11 lead as they cruised to the 25-16 third set victory.
Reed also finished the night with seven kills on 12 attempts and just two errors for an outstanding .417 attack percentage while Donahue followed up with five kills and powered the Leopard defense with six total blocks – one solo and five assisted.
Stephen led the Nighthawks recording a career single-match high seven kills on 19 attempts. Li followed up with four kills while senior setter Pat Robidoux (Barrington, R.I.) powered the Nighthawk offense tallying 12 assists.
Wentworth hosts Southern Vermont on Saturday, while Newbury (0-7) hosts Emerson Friday night.
(Recap courtesy of Newbury Sports Information)
June 4, 2014
Two Named to GNAC All-Academic Team
April 19, 2014
Men's Volleyball Captures First ECAC Crown
April 15, 2014
Seven From Men's Volleyball Earn All-GNAC Honors
April 14, 2014
Men's Volleyball Selected to Play in ECAC Tournament
April 10, 2014
Emmanuel Edges Men's Volleyball in GNAC Semifinals
April 7, 2014
Donahue, Pisker Earn GNAC Honors
April 5, 2014
Men's Volleyball Upsets Rivier, Defeats Anna Maria
April 3, 2014
Men's Volleyball Ends Drought Against Emmanuel
April 1, 2014
Men's Volleyball Wins Seventh Straight
March 30, 2014
Men's Volleyball Sets Single-Season Win Mark
March 27, 2014
Men's Volleyball Cruises to Fourth Straight Win
March 27, 2014
Men's Volleyball Earns First-Ever NCAA Regional Ranking
March 25, 2014
Men's Volleyball Wins Third Straight
March 24, 2014
Ritter Named GNAC Rookie of the Week
March 20, 2014
Men's Volleyball Edged at Emmanuel
March 18, 2014
Men's Volleyball Sweeps Past Mount Ida
March 15, 2014
Men's Volleyball Concludes Play at JWU Invitational
March 14, 2014
Men's Volleyball Splits at Johnson & Wales
March 7, 2014
Giglio Honored With AVCA's Thirty Under 30 Award
March 1, 2014
Men's Volleyball Drops Two Matches
February 26, 2014
Men's Volleyball Runs Win Streak to Five
February 24, 2014
Ritter Named GNAC Rookie of the Week
February 22, 2014
Men's Volleyball Sweeps Tri-Match
February 20, 2014
Men's Volleyball Captures Second Straight Win
February 15, 2014
Men's Volleyball Splits Home Tri-Match
February 12, 2014
Men's Volleyball Suffers First Loss of Season
February 10, 2014
Pisker Named GNAC Rookie of the Week
February 8, 2014
Men's Volleyball Runs Win Streak to Seven
February 4, 2014
Men's Volleyball Cruises Past Newbury
January 29, 2014
Men's Volleyball Opens GNAC Play Win Over Emerson
January 24, 2014
Men's Volleyball Opens With Two Wins
January 24, 2014
Men's Volleyball Set to Open 2014 Campaign