PROVIDENCE, RI –  Prior to Tuesday's contest, the Johnson & Wales University and Emerson College men's volleyball teams met on the court just 72 hours ago. The results of both matches were the same as the Wildcats defeated the Lions 3-0 (25-15 25-18, 25-16) during the first round of the GNAC Tournament.

Record:
Emerson: 12-12
Johnson & Wales: 18-14

Statistical Leaders:
Dondre Crump (JWU): 12 kills
Kanila Chang (JWU): 8 kills, 4 digs
Nick Bitetto (JWU): 6 kills, 7 digs.

Of Note:
Johnson & Wales had the offense clicking in the first set with a .471 hitting percentage. Three early EC errors, including a Matt LaVasseur ace, put the Lions in a hole they could not recover from. JWU took control of the second set with an 11-6 run that pushed their lead to 18-12. A Nick Rusk kill pulled Emerson within 14-12 in the third set, but JWU ended the match on a 13-4 run.

The Wildcats continued their offensive prowess, hitting .354 while holding the Lions to .052. JWU limited Emerson's offense by producing 33 digs and five blocks.

Leading all players with a match-high 12 kills was GNAC Rookie of the Week Dondre Crump while hitting .429. Senior Kanila Chang was next with eight kills. Setter Cameron Ponce dished out 34 assists and Alex Seda picked up a match-high 12 digs.

Rusk topped the Lions with seven kills. Mark Piorkowski had six kills and six digs.

Up Next:
The Wildcats are on the road for the semifinals as they travel to the second seed Wentworth for a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday.