Springfield, Mass. - February 14, 2020 - The Springfield College men's volleyball team battled their way to a four-set win at Rivier on Thursday night by the scores of 25-22, 25-15, 24-26, 25-23.

Springfield improved to 12-1 on the year following their 11th-straight victory as the Pride entered the match ranked No. 1 in the country according to this week's AVCA Division III National Coaches Poll.  The loss pushed Rivier's record to 8-3 and snapped their five-match winning streak. 

Both Brennen Brandow (Manorville, N.Y.) and Jarrett Anderson (San Jose, Calif.) each recorded 22 kills in the win, while Matt Lilley (Stony Brook, N.Y.) handed out 49 assists in helping the Pride to a .308 team hitting percentage. Chris Parker (East Northport, N.Y.) registered 10 kills at a .533 clip int he middle and Johjan Mussa Robles (Caguas, Puerto Rico) produced 14 digs.  Anderson added three of the Pride's 10 aces, while both Parker and Anderson totaled three blocks apiece. 

Facing a 7-5 deficit in the first set, Springfield rattled off a 6-1 burst, including a pair of kills from Anderson, to take an 11-8 edge. The hosts would regain a 20-18 lead, but the Pride would respond with six-straight points, as back-to-back stuff blocks from Parker gave the Pride set point.  Brandow then ripped his seventh kill of the frame to complete the 25-22 win.

In the second, Springfield would hit at a .429 hitting percentage and limit the Raiders to a .061 offensive efficiency.  After Rivier scored four-straight points to pull within 10-9, Springfield blew open the frame with an 8-1 push to gain a commanding 18-10 cushion. A pair of Brandow kills would sandwich a solo block by Anderson for the 25-15 triumph.

Despite leading 21-18 late in the third, Springfield surrendered a 5-0 burst to the Raiders as the momentum swung in favor of the hosts en route to the 26-24 win. 

Springfield regrouped and earned a 13-8 cushion on a kill by Anderson.  Rivier would answer with a 7-1 burst as the Pride called for a timeout following four miscues by the visitors.  Out of the break, Springfield would produce a 4-1 run, fueled by a pair of kills and ace by Anderson, to regain an 18-16 advantage. The Pride would score three-straight points, capped off by kill by Anderson in transition for match point, and four points later, Parker hammered a kill for the victory. 

The Pride will host a tri-match on Saturday, beginning at 3 pm versus SUNY Potsdam before hosting No. 3 NYU at 7 pm.

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