(Riverdale, NY) - Mount Saint Vincent Head Men's Volleyball Coach Tom Callahan knew coming into the

Dan Williams registered a career-high 25 kills to go with 23 digs and two service aces

2007 season that his team had improved dramatically over a 2006 squad that finished 7-18. Despite having a roster very similar to the one the program produced a year ago, an entire off-season of conditioning and preparation groomed the team into one capable of competing against a tough schedule of opponents including some of the best teams in the country. But Callahan also knew that it would take success against established, successful opponents in order for his crew to prove that they in fact have arrived back on the scene as a team to beat. And on Tuesday night, Callahan got his wish. Three days after being swept by Bard College, 3-0 at the MIT Tournament, the Mount got its revenge. After falling behind 8-0 during the first game, and dropping it, 30-23, the Dolphins rallied for a dramatic 3-2 win in front of a raucous and excited crowd at Mount Saint Vincent. With the win, Mount Saint Vincent improves to 5-9 overall and 2-3 in NECVA Metro play ... and the 2007 season just took on a whole new meaning.

Bard came out with a game plan to shut down Dolphin superstar T.J. Pufahl (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage HS), and enjoyed much success during the early going. Pufahl was blocked on four consecutive plays during the first game, and the Raptors cruised to a win. But, after the opening game, the momentum changed in a hurry as the Mount's focus went away from Pufahl and the Dolphins began to distibute their offense evenly. The plan worked as the Mount dominated the next two games, 30-19 and 30-15. Bard evened the match with a 30-26 win in the fourth game, setting up a dramatic fifth and deciding game. Mount Saint Vincent left no doubt, earning a 15-9 win and scoring their biggest win this season.

Even while being overloaded by blockers, Pufahl registered a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs, but his efforts were only a small part of the story. Senior Dan Williams (Brick Township, NJ/St. Rose), who's efforts have been a major factor behind the Mount's success this season, enjoyed perhaps the finest evening of his career, registering a career-high 25 kills (his previous career-high was 17), 23 digs, and two service aces. Junior Arnold Ross (Wilton, ME/Mount Blue HS) also had a stellar evening, registering 20 kills, 15 digs, four assists, and five service aces.

Mount Saint Vincent was also paced by rapidly improving sophomore Chris Dotoratos (Bronx, NY/Salesian), who tied his career high with 53 assists, while adding 22 digs.

With their biggest win of the season behind them, Mount Saint Vincent has a stretch where their next three matches are at home, as are six of their next nine matches. The string of action at Mount Saint Vincent gives the Dolphins the opportunity to even their record and jump back into the swing of things for a run at the post-season. Up next for the Mount is a home match with Cooper Union on Friday at 7:00 p.m.