FRANKLIN, MA- The Dean College men's volleyball team faced a tough battle against Emmanuel College on Thursday evening, falling in straight sets (25-17, 25-15, 25-16) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup at Pieri Gymnasium. Dean now falls to 2-11 (0-2) on the year, while Emmanuel moves to 9-7 (4-3).

Emmanuel controlled the match from the start, using a strong offensive attack and efficient defense to stifle the Bulldogs. The Saints recorded 37 kills as a team, compared to Dean's 20, and held an advantage in digs (42-35) and assists (37-17). 

In the opening set, the Saints used a 10-1 run in the early going to grab control of the play. The Bulldogs managed to get as close as five after the Saints scoring surge, but Emmanuel held steady on their way to a 25-17 set win.

In the second, a 16-5 surge for the Saints put them out in front handily. Emmanuel finished the frame with 16 team kills on 33 attempts, hitting a match-best for a set, .394, as they took the second, 25-15.

Finishing out the straight sets sweep, the two sides battled to a 12-12 tie before the visitor's pulled away with five consecutive points. The Bulldogs were unable to recover following the Saints five-point run, as Emmanuel took the third, 25-16.

For Emmanuel, Declan Morrison and Cayson Branconier each tallied six kills, while Thor Yingling added five. Setter Jehuda Tawalujan played a crucial role in orchestrating the Saints' offense, dishing out a match-high 32 assists. 

For Dean, Noah Allan paced the team with seven kills, followed by Arthur Felicio with four kills and Ayden Rogers with three. 

The Saints travel to Endicott on Tuesday, March 4, for a 7:00 p.m. match. Dean will look to bounce back next Thursday, March 6, when they travel to Regis College for a GNAC matchup against the Pride.

** Portions of this release courtesy Dean College Athletic Communications Office