NEW YORK, N.Y., March 2, 2007 - Springfield College junior outside hitter Eric Palumbo (Chili, N.Y.) recorded a double-double with match-highs of 19 kills and 10 digs to go along with four blocks, but it was the fifth-ranked New York University (NYU) Violets which defeated the No. 4 Pride, 3-1 (30-25, 19-30, 30-25, 30-24), this afternoon in an Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Hay Division match at the Coles Sports Center.
The win marks SC's first loss in the EIVA Hay this season, as the Pride is now 13-6 overall on the season and 5-1 in conference action. NYU, which snapped SC's five-game winning streak, improves to 9-11 overall and 2-2 in EIVA Hay play.
The Violets were led by Macnair Sillick with 17 kills on 28 swings with just five errors for a solid .429 hitting percentage. Sillick also added four blocks, four digs and three service aces in scoring a match-best 22.5 points. Devin Zolnowski chipped in with 13 kills, seven digs and three blocks, and Ilan Goldstein racked up 42 assists and seven digs.
Despite the loss, Pride freshman outside hitter AJ Nally (Rochester, N.Y.) contributed with 11 kills (.318 hitting percentage) and eight digs. Sophomore middle blocker Andy Sipe (New Oxford, Pa.) registered a match-high eight blocks to go along with five kills on 10 swings with just one error for a .400 hitting percentage.
SC looks to get back to the win column as the Pride next travels to Division I Rutgers-Newark for a non-conference match on Saturday evening, March 3rd, in a 7:00 p.m. start.
With eight national championships to his credit, Charlie Sullivan will enter his 16th season as head coach of the men's volleyball team in 2014. In 15 previous years at the helm, Sullivan owns an overall record of 256-158 for a .618 winning percentage. Read more.