Men's Volleyball Off to Hot Start with Pair of Wins

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College men's volleyball team has improved to 5-0 to start the year following a pair of wins over Nassau and Union County Community College(s). The Lakers have dominated play thus far in the Monroe College Invitational, which has featured some of the top programs in the NJCAA.

The Lakers kicked off the day with a matchup against the Nassau Community College Lions who they would sweep, 3-0. Sophomore Nick Ferris (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) stood out in the match with 7 kills on a .667 hitting percentage; good for 9 points. Classmate Ian Meeks (Victor, N.Y./Victor) led the team in kills for the match, with 9. Meeks added 3 service aces to his tally to culminate 12.5 points. 

Sophomore Bryce Ceravolo (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) orchestrated the Lakers' offense with 25 assists to help facilitate the Lakers' dynamic attack. Ceravolo also added 2 kills on a .400 hitting percentage and a service ace. Teammate Daniel Seymour (Bellmore, N.Y./John F. Kennedy) continued to deliver on the attack, adding 7 kills to go along with 2 solo blocks. Sophomore AJ DeBalso (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) put together one of his strongest defensive games this season, showing exceptional backcourt play with 14 digs. Freshman Bryce Nickson (Penfield, N.Y./Penfield) rounded out the game with 5 kills and 2 block assists.

The Lakers clinched a 3-1 win over Union County in their final match of the day. Sophomore Nick Ferris led the Lakers with a dominant 16-kill performance on a .458 hitting percentage; adding 16 points to the team's tally. Sophomore Ian Meeks played a crucial role in the win, adding 10 kills for 12 points. Meeks would go on to provide 8 assists and a service ace to round out his day.

Freshman Bryce Nickson added depth to the Lakers' attack with 7 kills at a .583 hitting percentage, tallying 8 points. Nickson provided formidable defense, leading the team with 15 digs. Sophomore Daniel Seymour secured 12 kills, 2 solo blocks, and 2 block assists. Sophomore Bryce Ceravolo directed the offense with 35 assists while also adding 2 kills on a perfect hitting percentage and a service ace.

The Lakers will have a quick turnaround with a 10:30 AM match against Monroe College tomorrow Saturday, February 3rd, followed by a 12 PM match against Passaic County Community College. The team's match with the Monroe College Mustangs will be a rematch of the 2023 NJCAA National Title game where the Lakers claimed the first-ever NJCAA National Invitational Championship.