BOSTON – The most successful season in school history came to an end Thursday for the Johnson & Wales University men's volleyball team. The Wildcats dropped a 3-2 (23-25, 21-25, 30-28, 25-17, 14-16) decision to Wentworth in the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament.

Record:
Wentworth: 19-10
Johnson & Wales: 21-11

Statistical Leaders:
Cameron Ponce (JWU): 59 assists, 20 digs
Sanjae Holloway (JWU): 25 kills vs. 13 digs
Donovan Kelley (JWU): 12 kills, .500 hitting %

Of Note:
Johnson & Wales was in the first two sets, but couldn't come through in the clutch. A Sanjae Holloway tied the first set, 23-23, but the Leopards got the final two kills. The Wildcats closed within 23-22 in set two, but once against WIT got the kills it needed down the stretch.

The Wildcats were able to come through in the waning moments of set three. A Wentworth service error and Josh Pitzer kill kept JWU in the match. JWU ran away with the fourth as a Holloway kill started a 7-1 run to force a fifth set.

Johnson & Wales dug a 10-5 hole in the fifth set, but worked its way to 13-13 on back-to-back Holloway kills. Unfortunately, a pair of errors down the stretch ended the match.

Wentworth held a slim .257-to-.223 hitting advantage. JWU had 69 digs, compared to 63 by the hosts, and the Leopards also committed 14 services errors.

In his final collegiate game, setter Cameron Ponce produced career-highs of 59 assists and 20 digs. Holloway had a personal-best 25 kills as well as 13 digs for the double-double.  

Head coach Scott Reslow should have another contender in 2020 as he returns four starters, including his top two outside hitters in Holloway and Jack Pincince.