The Mount Ida College men's volleyball team captured their second overall victory of the season against visiting non-conference Lesley University Friday night in Newton, Massachusetts winning 3-1 by scores of 25-21, 21-25, 25-23, and 25-20. The Mustangs improve to 2-6 on the season and remain at 1-4 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) standing while the visitors fall to 1-13 remaining at 0-5 in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC).
In a match where both teams came into the night with one win a piece, the action was tight with Lesley maintaining a small 8-6 advantage after a service error by the hosts. The Lynx held a small lead up 11-7 following a kill by senior Christain Domingo (Los Angeles, CA/College of Canyons). The Mustangs came back pouring on a 7-0 run taking over a 14-11 advantage showcasing five service aces by sophomore Spencer Hastings (Orlando, FL/Timber Creak) through the rally. Mount Ida went ahead by four after a Hastings solo block to lead 21-17. The hosts eventually captured the 25-21 game one win, on a final point by senior Thomas Belton (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) kill, for the 1-0 match lead.
The Lynx never trailed in game two leading by a game high eight points up 12-4 after an error by the Mustangs. Mount Ida pulled within four points down 13-9 after a Hastings kill. The visitors widened the margin up 16-10 following a service error by the hosts. Mount Ida got within one point (19-18) after a junior Franklin McCaffrey (East Greenwich, RI/East Greenwich) kill. The Lynx captured the final six out of nine points snatching a 25-21 game two win tying the match at 1-1.
The visitors held onto a small lead for the beginning of game three up 13-10 after a Lynx kill by Domingo. The small advantage by Lesley was continued with the Mustangs staying within striking distance trailing 19-18 following a Belton kill. Mount Ida eventually tied the score at 22-22 after a service ace by senior setter Shane Wilson (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester). After knotting it again at 23-23, Mount Ida scored the final two points taking the 25-23 game three win leading 2-1 in the match.
The Mustangs jumped ahead 8-5 to open game four following a Belton kill. The visitors pulled within a deuce down 10-8 after a couple of Mustang errors. Mount Ida continued to lead up 18-12 after a kill by junior McCoy Arnoux (Brockton, MA/Brockton). The visitors closed within three points trailing 20-17 after a kill by Domingo. The Mustangs scored the final five of seven points for the 25-20 game four victory and the 3-1 match win.
The Mustangs will travel to GNAC foe and neighboring rival Lasell College this coming Monday night starting at 7:00 p.m.