Feb. 1, 2012

Box Score

BRONX, N.Y. - The Lehman men's volleyball team picked up its second win of the season on Wednesday night, but it wasn't easy despite the 3-0 final score.

Battling Polytechnic Institute of New York University, which came into the match winless at 0-4, the Lightning received all it could handle as the visiting Blue Jays battled sent every set down to the wire.  Lehman prevailed in all three, but not by much, winning 25-22, 27-25, 25-23.

The Lightning led from start to finish in the first set, building a 17-11 advantage, before the Blue Jays battled back to within 24-22.  A kill by Orlando Vargas on the next service by NYU Poly gave Lehman the set win. 

Lehman continued to play from ahead for a majority of the second set until four straight points – kills by Adam Lakawicz, Nick Cervasio and Domonick Dennisur and an attack error by Miguel Gallardo – gave the Blue Jays a 19-16 lead.  The Lightning retook the lead at 23-22 on a block by Andrew Morejon.  Both teams then proceeded to alternate points with an attack error by Lakawicz finally ending the set in Lehman's favor at 27-25.

That ability to play from behind served the Lightning well in the third set as the Lehman men once again found themselves trailing deep into the set at 20-17.  Five consecutive points for Lehman followed, two courtesy of kills by Brian Francisco, to give the Lightning a 22-20 margin.  Gallardo eventually closed things out for the hosts when Stefan Leger's block attempt proved futile.

Sophomore Manuel Bonilla recorded a game-high 10 kills for the Lightning, while Brian Francisco registered nine with a hitting percentage of .316 and Vargas collected eight with a stellar hitting percentage of .462.  Vargas also added 10 digs.  Gallardo handed out 29 assists and fired three service aces.

The first CUNYAC multi-match of the season comes the Lightning's way this Saturday at Hunter College as the team will take on Brooklyn College and City College of New York with hopes of upping its win total.