Men's Volleyball | 4/20/2023 2:46:00 PM

HOBOKEN, NJ – After dropping the UVC Championship matchup against No. 1 Vassar, the No. 7 St. John Fisher University men's volleyball team (24-7 3-3) received an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament, their second straight berth. The Cardinals will square off against No. 11 Wentworth for the third time in two seasons, besting them earlier this season in five but dropping to them in three during the opening round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago.

Scouting Wentworth

Earlier this season, Fisher reverse swept Wentworth, using .478, .423, and .571 hitting percentages in the final three sets respectively to push past the Leopards. The match was evenly dueled, as Wentworth finished with 58 kills while Fisher had 57. Both teams were credited with eight aces and 50 assists, but Fisher outperformed the Leopards in blocks, using a six block performance from Gabe La Robardiere. Josh Bigford, Jake Baker, and Matt Beiter finished the match with 10+ kills in the win. Bigford and Gavin Newman each tallied three aces, while Evan Ingerick ended with 44 assists.

In four programmatic matches against Wentworth, the records are split 2-2, with three of four of the matches going to five sets.

Wentworth has gone 26-7 this season, and the Leopards are led by junior Jacob LaBouliere. The 6-9 OH put down an impressive 305 kills across just 64 sets this season (4.77 kills per set). LaBouliere has coupled his big swing with 25 aces from the line.

Wentworth will be making their fifth appearance in the tournament and their third straight making the dance. The Leopards have won the first round of the tournament the last four appearances and made it to the final four a season ago.

Streaking Success

The Cardinals, who are joined in New Jersey by Wentworth, Stevens, and Geneva, are the only team not entering the tournament on a winning streak. Wentworth has won three straight and nine of their last 10. Meanwhile, Geneva has won four in a row, and have collected seven wins in their last 10 matches. Stevens has won nine of their last 10 as well, helping the team to their 31-3 overall record.

Fisher enters the tournament winners of eight of their last 10 matches, including two wins over top-15 AVCA ranked teams.

Stat Watching

Matt Beiter and Gavin Newman set the program record for aces in a single season last season, after being credited with 50 service aces each. Coming off a weekend with two aces, Newman has now tallied 48 aces this season.

Just two aces shy of tying the record, Newman, who is averaging 0.47 aces per set, will look to break his own record in the tournament.

Player of the Week to Watch

Baker is coming off arguably one of his best offensive stretches of the season, pounding 42 kills across three matches and 99 attempts during the UVC tournament, with 12 errors, good for .303 hitting percentage. Baker led the Cardinals in kills this weekend, and has now amassed a .217 hitting percentage throughout 80 sets played this season. Baker, along with Bigford were announced earlier this week to the UVC Championship All-Tournament team.

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