Box Score BOSTON, Mass. – The Johnson & Wales University men's volleyball schedule was intentionally difficult to prepare the Wildcats for the conference schedule. Despite taking some early lumps, the strategy may have worked as the Wildcats started the GNAC slate with a 3-2 (25-18, 23-25, 20-25, 25-23, 15-1) win at Emerson on Thursday.
The victory improved the Wildcats record to 4-8 overall, 1-0 in the league. The Lions dropped to 3-6 and 0-2 in the GNAC.
Johnson & Wales had a balanced offensive attack with five players recording five or more kills, including three with 10 or more. Brendan Baker (Providence, RI) led the way with 13, followed by 12 from Ryan Kennedy (West Barnstable, Mass.) and Kyle Eva (Charlestown, RI) added 11.
The Wildcats were strong at the net, out-hitting Emerson (.286-.211) while also holding a 9-4 margin for blocks. The middle blocker Eva had four blocks while outside hitter Kennedy added three. Freshman setter Cameron Ponce (San Jose, Calif.) had a double-double with 38 assists – one off his season-high – and 10 digs.
After falling behind 2-1 in the match, the Wildcats forced a fifth set by winning a tight fourth stanza. The teams were tied at 22-22 and 23-23. Baker got a kill to put JWU up 24-23 then an Emerson hitting error gave the Wildcats the set. Tied at 13-13 in the fifth, Baker came through again with a kill then stuffed Jackson Wiley for the deciding point.
The Wildcats are back on the court next Wednesday when they travel to Rivier. The Raiders are ranked 16th in the country.
