Jan. 29, 2011

Box Score

If the Lehman men's volleyball team has visions of playing deep into the CUNYAC Championships and beyond this season, it will have to learn to close out opponents when the game is there for the taking.

Against visiting Bard College on Saturday afternoon, the Lightning's valiant comeback from two sets down, necessitated by its inability to take advantage of late leads in the first and second set, was in vain when the team also couldn't put the Raptors away in the fifth and deciding set despite leading 13-11. The result was a 26-24, 27-25, 21-25, 19-25, 15-13 loss.

After narrowly losing the first two sets 26-24 and 27-25, the Lightning commanded the third set, jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead behind the serving of Nate Martin. Luis Colon and R.J. LeBlanc provided the thunder needed around the net for Lehman to build a 22-18 lead with LeBlanc registering five kills and Colon slamming home four of his own. Leading 22-21, the Lightning staved off defeat on three straight errors by the Raptors.

The fourth set might have been the most complete effort by the Lightning, and also the one that provided the most breathing room. The Raptors held a brief 4-3 lead following Miguel Gallardo's attack error, but a 7-2 run helped open a 12-7 lead. Ahead 21-18, Lehman combined a LeBlanc kill with three Bard errors to set the stage for the deciding fifth set.

Bard's Nick Chan helped the Raptors to a 6-3 advantage early on before the Lightning scored nine of the next 12 points to inch ever so close to the win at 12-9. Brice Ormesher's attack error would give the Lighting a 13-11 lead, but that would end the scoring for Lehman as Bard ran off four straight points, the capper an attack error by Gallardo to seal the Lightning's fate.

In the loss, LeBlanc totaled 19 kills, 15 digs and three blocks. Colon added 18 kills and 12 digs while Gallardo contributed a great all-around game with 12 kills, 25 assists, eight digs and two blocks. Martin was equally well-rounded with nine kills, 26 assists, 10 digs and five service aces.

The Lightning's next match will kick off the CUNYAC portion of the schedule as it takes on visiting Hunter College on February 1.