Endicott 3, Elms 2; Gulls victorious in NECC rematch

CHICOPEE, Mass. – Senior Matt Devendorf (Glastonbury, Conn.) delivered the match-ending kill in the fifth set as Endicott men's volleyball won 3-2 (25-21, 19-25, 19-25, 27-25, 16-14) over Elms in the rematch of the 2012 NECC Championship.  The Gulls improved to 3-3 (1-0 NECC) and move on to face conference foe Southern Vermont on Sunday, February 10^th at 1:00 pm in Bennington, Vermont.

Fresan John Osborne (Freehold, N.J.) finished with seven kills in the match but an errorless 10 kills and six block assists by junior middle Mike Coniglione (Glenville, N.Y.) led an Endicott team that defeated a Blazers squad that advanced past the Gulls in last year's conference championship match.

Coniglione hit .556 to lead the Gulls and junior Travis Netherton (Waukegan, Ill.) added 13 kills with a .370 attack percentage and three block assists.  Endicott handled the first set, dropped the next two, then edged Elms 27-25 in the fourth, then 16-14 in the fifth to take their conference opener. 

Right side hitters Josh Anderson (La Canada, Calif.) and Devendorf combined for 11 kills and freshman setter Tyler Bacon (Cypress, Calif.) set an early career-high with 38 assists with 12 digs.   Bacon added four block assists to a Gulls squad that totaled 11 as a team. 

Outside hitter Brennan Lowe (Malibu, Calif.) struck five kills and tallied four digs for Endicott in the win.

Endicott improved to 13-0 all-time in NECC matches dating back to their first season in the conference in 2012 and 18-3 versus Elms dating back to their first meeting in the 2003 season.  Endicott has won seven of the last eight meetings with the Blazers.