Release courtesy of the Wentworth Athletic Communications Department.
BOSTON – Paced by a complete offensive and defensive prowess, the third-ranked Wentworth Institute of Technology men's volleyball team opened their historic NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Tournament appearance with a dominant triumph over the Lancaster Bible Chargers in straight sets.
Friday night's win advances Wentworth to their third straight quarterfinal appearance, taking on Vassar for just the eighth time in program history, as the Leopards seek their first semifinal bid since 2022. Tonight's win also sets a new program record for wins in a season as the Leopards reached 31 triumphs for the first time ever.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The two teams swapped scores in the opening set before kills by senior Jacob Waga, sophomore Nicolai Bell, and senior Jacob LaBouliere helped Wentworth set out to a 8-4 lead. The Leopards worked their lead to 15-10, thanks to a kill apiece from Waga and junior Sam Etter, before kills by Waga and graduate student Brandon Dunz pushed the advantage to 19-13. A kill by Waga punched Wentworth's lead to a 25-19 set win.
- The Black & Gold rattled off eight of the first nine points of the second frame, with four coming off of two service aces apiece from Dunz and LaBouliere. A kill by Bell brought the advantage to 11-3 before two kills by LaBouliere helped guide the lead to 16-6. Three kills by Bell paced the Leopards to a 23-13 lead before Wentworth held off the Chargers for a 25-15 set win.
- Kills by Etter, LaBouliere, and Waga marched the Leopards out to a 6-2 lead in the third set before another finish by Etter and two service aces by junior Ryan Roller helped mark a 10-3 score. A kill by LaBouliere extended the advantage to 13-4 before two kills by Dunz helped mark a 16-7 lead. A service ace by Dunz guided the Black & Gold to a 20-9 lead before the hosts breezed to a 25-14 set win.
SERIES NOTES:
- Tonight marked the first meeting between the two teams since 2018. Wentworth's triumph ties the all-time series at 2-2.
NEXT UP:
- The Leopards face Vassar in the tournament's quarterfinal round tomorrow at 6 p.m. in Tansey Gym.
2024 NCAA Division III Men's Volleyball Championship Schedule
First Round – Friday, April 19
(Hosted by Wentworth – Boston, Mass.)
No. 8 Vassar def. No. 11 Nichols, 3-1 | BOX
No. 3 Wentworth def. Lancaster Bible, 3-0 | BOX
Second Round – Saturday, April 20
(Hosted by Wentworth – Boston, Mass.)
No. 8 Vassar at No. 3 Wentworth, 6 p.m.
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