SPRINGFIELD, Mass., January 19, 2006 – Springfield College sophomore outside hitter Eric Palumbo (Rochester, N.Y.) recorded a match-high 18 kills and three service aces to go along with nine digs as the No. 5 Pride swept No. 10 Newbury College, 3-0, in each squad’s 2006 season-opener on Thursday night (Jan. 19) in Blake Arena.
Sophomore setter Chris Shekell (Rochester, N.Y.) tallied a match-best 46 assists as he tied for the team-high in digs with 10 as SC, ranked fifth in the first CSTV/American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III Poll, downed the Nighthawks by scores of 30-19, 30-25, and 30-23.
Other notable performances from the Pride in its season-opener included sophomore outside hitter Javier Rosario (San Juan, Puerto Rico) with seven kills and 10 digs, and freshman middle blocker Andrew Sipe (New Oxford, Pa.) with seven kills and seven block assists.
Newbury sophomore outside hitter Erik Kostanski registered a team-best seven kills on the night, as sophomore setter Matt Hartman chipped in with 22 assists for the 0-1 Nighthawks.
SC (1-0) will host No. 7 Rivier College tomorrow evening, January 20, in a 7:30 p.m. start in Blake Arena.
With seven national championships to his credit, Charlie Sullivan will enter his 15th season as head coach of the men's volleyball team in 2013. In 14 previous years at the helm, Sullivan owns an overall record of 224-155 for a .591 winning percentage. Read more.
