MEN'S VOLLEYBALL LOSES OPENER AT MASS. INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (MIT), Timmy Hughes tallies nine kills

Mount Ida College dropped their season opener to M.I.T., 30-14, 30-12, 30-19, in a North East Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA) New England Division men’s volleyball match on Thursday night. The Mustangs, who come into this year as a very young team, would put together a good showing against the tough Engineers, picked to finish first in the New England division in the NECVA.

In the opening game, MIT established a 6-3 lead, but Mount Ida tallied the next three points to even the match. After exchanging points on the next two serves, the Engineers went on a 22-6 run which eventually set up game point. A strike by Tim Hughes (Holliston, MA/Holliston) extended the frame for the Mustangs, however MIT sealed the game on the next serve.

After winning the first point of the second stanza, strong serving M.I.T. resulted in nine unanswered points. Following its own timeout, Mount Ida got on the scoreboard and chipped away at the deficit to come within eight (15-7). MIT responded by scoring 15 of the final 20 points notching the game-winner.

Both sides exchanged points to start the final frame until the Mustangs posted three in a row for a 4-2 advantage. Each squad picked up a point before the Engineers tallied four straight to reclaim the lead. Mount Ida stayed within striking distance as a service error brought it within one (11-10). MIT countered with an 18-8 run that was capped by a kill from Scott Pollom. Once again, a Hughes hit kept the Mustangs alive but a block by the Engineers clinched the match.

Hughes paced Mount Ida with nine kills, nine digs, one ace, and one block as junior setter Bryan McMenamin (Warminster, PA/William Tennant) totaled 14 assists, six digs, and two kills.

Mount Ida will square off with Lesley University and Lancaster Bible College this Saturday in their first tri-match of the season atLesley University against Lancaster Bible School starting at 10:00 a.m.