Men's Volleyball Takes Care Of Emerson At Home

WESTON, Mass.-- The Pride men's volleyball team was back in action tonight taking on the Lions of Emerson College after losing the first set the Pride would go on to win the next three, taking tonight's match in four sets. The win improves their record to 7-5, 0-0 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play.

Brandon Valdes led the way for the Pride offensively, recoridng a .571 hitting %, complimenting him was Evan Shank who recorded 26 assists in todays four-set match.

For Emerson, Riley Goldman would record 11 kills. 

How it Happened

The Pride would open this one up going back-and-forth with the Lions exchanging attack errors and kills with neither team gaining ground, Regis battled to tie the score at 19–19 following a stretch of Emerson attack errors, forcing a tense finish. However, out of the timeout, Emerson regained control. Betonio and Valdes couldn't get the job done in crucial moments, and the defense tightened up at the net to slow Regis' outside hitters. Closing on a composed, Emerson sealed the set with a final kill to secure the 25–20 victory and take a 1–0 lead in the match.

The second set opened evenly, with both teams trading points early. A critical turning point came midway through the set when Regis strung together an extended run fueled by aggressive serving and solid defense. Kills from John Nangle and Adam Bonica, combined with multiple Emerson attack errors, pushed the lead and forced a timeout. Emerson briefly stopped the run and trimming the deficit. However, Regis quickly regained control and capitalized on several Emerson miscues and a final block sealed the 25–15 win.

In the third set,  began with a string of service errors on both sides, keeping things tight early. Emerson found offense through Mario Cielo-Salinas, while Regis countered with steady production from Jalen Watt and Adam Bonica to build a small advantage. After trading points to 8–8, Regis started to create separation. The decisive push came late. With the score at 18–16, Regis strung together a dominant run fueled by Eli Dignazio's serving. Dignazio delivered back-to-back service aces and helped spark a four-point surge that stretched the lead to 21–16 and forced another Emerson timeout. From there, Regis stayed aggressive at the net, with Nangle and Watt contributing key blocks down the stretch.

Regis closed out the match in dominant fashion in the fourth set, rolling to a 25–11 victory to seal the win. The tone was set immediately behind Evan Shank. Shank opened the set with three service aces and sparked a 5–0 run that forced an early Emerson timeout. During that stretch, Regis capitalized in transition with kills from Haden Houatchanthara and Jalen Watt, overwhelming Emerson before they could settle in offensively. Down the stretch, Regis strategically closed the door. Watt, Bonica, and John Nangle all contributed late kills as the lead ballooned to match point. A final Emerson service error sealed the 25–11 win, completing a decisive fourth-set performance and securing the match for Regis.

Inside the Numbers

• Jalen Watt's 10 kills was his second time this season with 10 or more.
• Thomas McCarthy's 13 Digs was his third time with 10 or more.

Up Next

The Pride will travel to the big apple to take on Hunter College and Baruch College in a weekend tri-match on Saturday, February 14th.