NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball squad picked up its fourth consecutive victory in a 3-0 Great Northeast Athletic Conference win over Albertus Magnus College on Tuesday night at The Nest.
With the win the Leopards improve to 18-8 overall and 10-2 in conference play, while the Falcons fall to 5-13 (0-11).
Freshman Jake Brown (Howell, N.J.) contributed five kills to Wentworth's 25-19 first set triumph. The Leopards scored four straight points to take an early 4-1 lead, but the Albertus Magnus answered with three points of its own to even up the score. The Falcons came within three of Wentworth at 14-11, but the Leopards gained a six-point lead and sealed the 25-19 win on a kill by sophomore Lucas Grevers (Norwalk, Conn.)
The Leopards hit for an impressive .667 in the second set and cruised to a 25-7 victory. Three was the closest Albertus Magnus would come to Wentworth at 5-2, but a 7-0 Wentworth run comprised of three kills from freshman Brian Drouse (Dallas, Pa.) lifted the Leopards to a commanding 20-6 lead. Wentworth continued to dominate the remainder of the set as they tacked on five straight points to nab the 2-0 edge.
Wentworth gained its biggest lead of the final set at 10-3, but Albertus Magnus managed to claw their way back. After four consecutive points allowed the Falcons to come within two of the Leopards at 14-12, a defensive mishap by Wentworth brought Albertus Magnus within one at 17-16. However, Wentworth regained composure as a service ace capped off the 25-16 third set victory and the 3-0 match win with six straight points.
Drouse led the Black & Gold with nine kills and Brown had eight, while junior Paul Cooke (Ridgefield, Conn.) contrinuted 33 helpers. Senior Zach Newhouse (Lancaster, Calif.) had seven digs and junior Mike Hansen (Rochester, N.Y.) had three blocks.
Seniors Ben Spilka (Redding, Conn.) and senior Justin Tharau (Burlington, Conn.) led Albertus Magnus with six kills apiece. Freshman Jeremy Ortiz (Bridgeport, Conn.) had 16 helpers, while Tharau also racked up eight digs.
Wentworth takes on Lasell at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, while Albertus Magnus is also in action on Thursday against Johnson & Wales at 7:00 p.m.
