By Joe Arruda
@joearruda9
The Springfield College men’s volleyball team swept Lasell in six straight sets, accumulating two wins in the doubleheader affair on Sunday afternoon. After a 17-day layoff, the Pride fell to Wentworth on Saturday, 3-1, in what was the team’s first loss of the season.
Multiple COVID-related postponements and cancellations plagued the season for the Pride only allowing them to complete six of their 15 games. After the NCAA approved a men’s volleyball tournament, it will be up to the selection committee to decide if the 11-time national champions will get a shot at No. 12.
Jarrett Anderson, who posted a season-high 19 kills with a .238 hitting percentage in the loss to Wentworth, led the team again with 19, this time improving his hitting percentage to an impressive .515.
Senior setter Matt Lilley directed the Pride offense with 35 assists in the first game.
In the second set of the second game, the Lasers were able to tie the score at 20-20 before Anderson shot another ball directly into the blockers in blue that fell on the opposite side of the court. Back and forth the score went before senior Chris Parker took it into his own hands.
Parker found a hole on the court for a kill that gave the Pride a 23-21 lead on his senior day. He then went back to serve, smashed an ace into the back middle of the Laser return which subsequently forced a Lasell timeout. Lasell wasn’t able to recover, dropping that set 25-23.
Springfield wins the second set, 25-23. pic.twitter.com/6AOCmZw5MH
— Joe Arruda (@joearruda9) April 11, 2021
After the second game, the Pride settled down into its socially distanced chairs, masks on, and commenced the senior day ceremonies. Each of the six seniors was recognized by head coach Charlie Sullivan, and proceeded to sit down in front of a TV monitor that was rolled out onto the court to watch a video message from family members.
With the two wins on Sunday, the Pride made a last-minute push to prove themselves to the NCAA selection committee before the national championship bracket is announced on Monday, April 12. Springfield will wait on its hands, hoping its six games and 5-1 record were enough to earn a bid in the bracket.
Photo Courtesy of Joe Arruda