UNION, NJ - The CMSV Men's Volleyball team opened up play for the 2017 season at the Kean Winter Classic, on Thursday and Friday afternoon.
The Dolphins played twice on Thursday, dropping both matches by a score of 3-1 to Benedictine University and #10 Kean University but then rebounded to sweep Cairn University 3-0 on Friday to earn their first victory of 2017.
Benedictine University (3) vs. CMSV Dolphins (1) (25-23, 25-19, 23-25, 25-15)
The Dolphins managed to only hit .170% over the four sets but tallied 41 kills. Senior
Tyler Cucullu led the team with 12 kills, while also adding in two aces, two assists, and a team-high eight digs.
Neven Skoblar added in 10 kills, while freshman
Scott Sawyer added nine in his first collegiate match.
CMSV shined in their third set victory, outhitting the Eagles in every category. The team combined for 14 kills, their most in any single set and a .333 hitting percentage, also the best of the day.
The team showed some real toughness having to come back from a 13-4 defect early in the set. The Dolphins ended the set on a 15-7 run, winning the final five points of the set to earn the 25-23 victory.
#10 Kean University (3) vs. CMSV Dolphins (1) (25-14, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22)
Taking on the AVCA preseason #10 ranked team, the Mount showed some flashes against one of the top teams in all of Division III. Cucullu once again led the team, tallying nine kills and nine digs, As a team the Dolphins totaled 24 kills, while hitting .067% over four sets.
CMSV Dolphins (3) vs. Cairn University (25-22, 25-21, 26-24)
The Dolphins rebounded from an 0-2 start to the tournament to sweep the Highlanders, despite Cairn totaling more kills over the three sets.
Playing without setter
Logan Dickover, the Mount managed to maintain their offensive rhythm with Cuccullu taking over the main setting duties. The senior totaled 20 assists, setting a new career-high. Sawyer, Skoblar and
Jordan Steiger took over most of the attack play as Sawyer led with nine kills, while Skoblar added seven and Steiger added five.
The Dolphins showed tremendous poise throughout the match, allowing the Highlanders to dominate the attacking play. CMSV was rewarded as Cairn only hit .097% on 93 total attempts.
Kean Winter Classic All-Tournament Team
Tyler Cucullu – Mt. St. Vincent
Elijah Medlock – Benedictine
Bryn Lipton – Endicott
Brandon Kohler – Hunter
Ben Crusinberry – Hunter
Jared Warner – Kean
Jacob Kauffman – Kean