Lasell Holds Off #1 Men's Volleyball's Comeback in Five-Set Thriller

NEWTON, Mass. – After an incredible stretch of 24 straight victories, the top-ranked Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball team's (24-1, 10-1 GNAC) comeback to the Lasell Lasers (12-11, 7-2 GNAC) came up just short Tuesday night, with the host Lasers holding on for a dramatic five-set victory.

The 24-match win streak for the Leopards marked both the longest win streak to begin a season in program history and the longest win streak at any point in program history.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• A kill by senior Jacob LaBouliere (Pipersville, Pa.) helped Wentworth get out to a 3-0 lead in the first set. After the Lasers fought back, a kill by graduate student Brandon Dunz (Lake View, N.Y.) marked a 5-3 score before another Dunz kill marked a 12-10 lead. The two teams traded scores, working the set up to 19-19, before three kills by LaBouliere gave the Leopards a 22-20 advantage. Two kills by sophomore Benjamin Moughon (Mercer Island, Wash.) helped push the edge to 25-24, but the Lasers rattled off three straight to take the first set, 27-25.
• The two teams swapped scores to open the second set before Wentworth pulled away with a 9-4 lead thanks to kills by LaBouliere, Moughon, and senior Jacob Waga (East Northport, N.Y.). Kills by Waga and LaBouliere continued the lead to 14-12 before two kills by Waga helped the advantage to 19-15. A kill by LaBouliere gave the Leopards a 22-21 edge before another marked a 23-22 score. Lasell grabbed the next two points, clinching a 25-23 set win and a 2-0 lead.
• The two teams traded points to start the third set before the Leopards separated themselves with a 13-7 lead on kills by Dunz and Waga. Two kills by freshman Conner Foxwell (Harrisburg, Pa.) pushed the lead to 16-11 before two kills by LaBouliere and another by Dunz marked a 20-14 score. Two kills by Moughon helped push the lead to 23-19 before Wentworth snagged a 25-19 set win.
• Behind 2-1 in the fourth set, the Black & Gold rattled off five straight points, with three on service aces by Waga, taking a 7-2 lead. The Leopards held their sizeable lead, working the score to 15-10 on a Waga kill after Dunz and LaBouliere helped mark a 14-9 advantage. A kill by Waga helped push the lead to 18-11 before kills by Waga and Moughon marked a 22-16 lead. Kills by Foxwell and Moughon helped seal a 25-19 set win, tying the match at two aside.
• A kill by LaBouliere gave Wentworth a 3-2 edge in the fifth set before Lasell rallied, taking an eventual 10-6 lead. A kill by LaBouliere later cut the Leopards' deficit to 12-11, but the Lasers managed to fend off the Leopards, 15-12.
• Junior Josh Milke (Eastampton, N.J.) matched his career high with 57 assists.

SERIES NOTES:

• Winners of five of the last seven, including a 3-1 victory back on February 15, Wentworth leads the all-time series, 34-21.

NEXT UP:

• The Leopards visit Emerson on Saturday.

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