Men's Volleyball Takes Two Matches

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Leopard men's volleyball team ran its win streak to three matches with a pair of victories in the Big Apple. Wentworth notched its second straight 3-0 win with a triumph over CCNY before needing four games to close out Lehman, 3-1.

Against CCNY the Black & Gold set the tone early, hitting .407 in the opening set and holding the Beavers to a .000 attack percentage. Sophomore Ross Burdett (Needham, Mass.) had six kills in the opening game, which was won by the Leopards, 25-16.

Wentworth took the next two games by identical 25-18 scores to earn the win. Sophomore Mike Buonincontra (Shelton, Conn.) had five of the Leopards' game-high 17 kills in the second game, as well as recording three digs. In the third game Burdett added five more kills to help the Black & Gold complete the sweep.

Burdett paced the Leopards with 14 kills, an attack percentage of .409, and two aces. Buonincontra and sophomore Brian Mann (East Freetown, Mass.) each had nine kills and hit over .400. Buonincontra also had a team-high eight digs. Freshman Rami Akouri (Fall River, Mass.) finished with eight kills and two aces, while junior Tyler Moriarty (Wilbraham, Mass.) had 34 assists. As a team Wentworth hit .386.

The Leopards shifted venues for their second match of the day, but the momentum wasn't lost as the Black & Gold held Lehman to just eight points in the first game of their match against the Lightning. In the 25-8 win the Leopards hit .389 and held Lehman to a negative attack percentage. Wentworth continued its strong offensive attack in the second game, hitting .435 and winning, 25-14.

Lehman held the Leopards to a .000 attack percentage in a third game that saw 12 ties and five lead changes. The Lightning took the lead for good at 22-21 and earned a 25-22 win.

Wentworth closed out the match in the fourth game (25-18) by hitting .357 and holding the hosts to a .000 attack percentage. Burdett had six kills and hit .500 in the game as well as recording four digs.

Burdett had 15 kills, two blocks, and 14 digs in the win, while Akouri had 12 kills and hit .455. Buonincontra added seven kills and 11 digs and Moriarty recorded 30 assists.

The Leopards (3-1) are idle until Friday night when they open their inaugural GNAC schedule at seventh-ranked Rivier.