Springfield, Mass. - March 11, 2022 - The Springfield College men's volleyball team used a .509 team hitting percentage and ripped 17 service aces as it downed MIT in Dana Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.  The Pride won by the scores of 25-18, 25-11, 25-16. 

Springfield improved to 18-1 on the season as it entered the competition ranked No. 2 in the most recent AVCA Division III National Coaches Poll. The Engineers ledger slipped to 10-6. 

The Pride's .509 hitting percentage was its best offensive output since it hit .513 against St. John Fisher on March 3, 2020, while its 17 aces were its highest total since January 20, 2018 when it registered 18 winners from the end line against Baruch. Liam York (Kailua, Hawaii) led all players with 10 kills, while Brennen Brandow (Manorville, N.Y.) added nine kills.  Jarrett Anderson (San Jose, Calif.) notched seven kills and five aces and Matt Lilley (Stony Brook, N.Y.) turned in 31 assists and six aces. Johjan Mussa Robles (Caguas, Puerto Rico) was credited with nine digs and Nate Reynolds (Baltimore, Md.) had three blocks in helping keep MIT to just a .098 hitting percentage. 

An early ace from York gave the Pride a 5-1 lead in the first before Springfield stretched its lead to 11-6 on a big swing from York.  However, MIT, would battle back to take a 15-14 advantage following three-straight miscues for Springfield.  Brandow would side out with a kill before Lilley blistered consecutive aces to give the lead to Springfield for good.  Anderson was able to manufacture his fourth kill of the night for the 25-18 win. 

Springfield's offensive was efficient and dominant in the second, as it produced 15 kills at a gaudy .824 hitting percentage, with York and Brandow each totaling five kills.  Leading 11-6, Springfield broke open the set with a 7-1 burst, which was fueled by the tough serving from Anderson.  Chris Parker (East Northport, N.Y.) converted out of the middle on set point for the 25-11 win. 

The Pride ripped seven aces in the third, including three from both Lilley and Anderson. Springfield raced out to a 7-3 cushion on a kill from York before three-straight aces from Lilley gave the hosts a 17-11 edge.  The visitors would total seven service errors in the set, with their final miscue allowing the Pride to take the 25-16 win .

Springfield will play again on March 23 when it hosts Regis in a 6 pm contest. 

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