A week after losing to Endicott College, the Emerson men’s volleyball team fell to the No. 18 Lasell University Lasers at the Bobbi Brown & Steven Plofker Gym on Feb. 11, 3-0.
The Lions and Lasers engaged in a tight opening set, with the Lasers leading 10-6 after an attack error by junior outside hitter Chase Fagen. The Lions managed to keep the score close and capitalize off of Lasell’s errors, at one point trailing by three. Lassell led 18-12 when another Hackett attack brought the Lions within five. The Lasers ultimately pulled away in set No. 1, winning 25-16.
Lasell’s defense started strong in the second set, giving them their first two points. Laser errors and a spike by senior setter Bryson Beck gave the Lions a 3-2 lead before Lasell regained control. A three-peat of aces gave them a 14-5 lead, but the Lions continued to chip away. Errors by Lasell and strong attacks by Emerson brought the Lions within five, 21-16. A Lasell service error put the Lions down two, 22-20, before a Laser kill gave them set No. 2, 25-22.
The Lions jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third set after a double block by first-year middle blocker Cash Muse and junior middle blocker Liam Higgins. The Lasers then rattled off five straight points. Sophomore right-side hitter Riley Goldman’s kill tied the set at 7, while another kill by Muse put Emerson in front 8-7. Lasell responded accordingly with accurate aces and attacks, holding a 13-9 lead moments later.
As Lasell players did push-ups on the sidelines, the Lions pushed through to tie the set at 13.
Emerson and Lasell continued trading points in the period, as Fagen flew in for a kill that tied it at 18. Goldman’s second kill tied the set again at 19. Despite the Lions’ best efforts, Lasell separated themselves in the final moments, taking the third set and the game with a 25-21 win.
Fagen led the Lions with 11 kills, followed by Hackett’s nine. Beck recorded a team-high 19 assists, while also leading in digs (eight) and aces (three).
“Tonight really showcased the fact that we can come together as a team and play against a nationally-ranked team like Lasell,” Muse said postgame. “I’m proud of a lot of our performances tonight. I know it obviously didn’t go our way, but it was a good game and it’s always good to compete.”
Muse added that he’s proud of the team’s attitude despite their struggles to start the season.
“I’m honestly proud of the way we’re handling ourselves regardless of the situation,” he said. “Every single team we’ve played so far has been nationally ranked, and we’ve shown ourselves to be a team that can play through the [adversity] we’ve had to face.”
As the team’s lone first-year, Muse expressed his excitement to play at the collegiate level and has embraced the support and lessons from his teammates.
“This is my first year playing anything outside of high school—I never played club [volleyball],” he said. “It’s amazing playing at this level and having such support from these guys. They understand my situation being the only commit on the team, and they’ve been very supportive trying their best to teach me everything they can. I really appreciate all of them.”
Going forward, Muse believes confidence is the key to wins in the regular season.
“Doubt is an illusion in our case,” he said. “We have to play through all these different things that we have on our backs, and we have to really put that behind us and focus on the court and play our best in order to really win.”
The Lions will head to Emmanuel College to face the Saints on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m.
