CHESTNUT, M.A.—The Cardinals made their first stop in Massachusetts, playing Pine Manor College in two matches on Friday night. The Cardinals picked up a victory and a loss in the first ever meetings between the Gators. The Cardinals won the first match against the Gators 3-2 (25-20,29-27,22-25, 20-25, 15-12) but fell short in the second match, 3-2 (20-25,20-25,25-13,25-19-13-15).
The first set of the first match was very sloppy for both teams. Both the Gators and Cardinals made multiple errors, costing their teams some valuable points. York would begin to pull away however in the first set after four errors in a row by the Gators put them ahead 18-14.
In the second set of the first match, York picked up on its momentum from the first set and scored the first five points after three aces in a row from
Kevin Campbell. The score would go back and forth, with no team winning by more than two points from there on out. With the set score tied at 26,
Frederis Tapia and Akil Vaugh would each give the team huge kills to give the Cardinals the victory by two.
Going into the third set, the Cardinals were ahead 2-0. The Cardinals were ahead most of the third and fourth sets, but errors caused the Cardinals to turn the ball over down the stretch and the game went in a fifth set.
The fifth set of the first match was once again back and forth scoring. The match was tied at 11-11.
Akeem George would provide the Cardinals with two blocks to give them the lead, while Campbell was able to provide another ace to clinch the victory.
Akil Vauhgn led the Cardinals in this game, contributing 13 kills while
Akeem George added four blocks.
Adil Manji also added in 25 assists and
Kevin Campbell had four huge aces to lead the Cardinals to the win.
The second match of the evening between these two teams picked up just where the first one ended. Both teams continued to go back and forth exchanging points. The Cardinals fell behind in the first two sets of the second match and were never able to catch back up.
However, the Cardinals would start the third and fourth match out with a vengeance. After falling behind in the first two sets, the Cardinals played much better and saw themselves leading by as much as 10 at one point.
The game would all come down to the fifth and final set of the night. However, two errors in the final couple of plays would cost the Cardinals the victory, as they lost 13-15.
Akil Vaughn also led the Cardinals in the second match with 14 kills while
Mambe Koureissi had 3 blocks in the loss. Nathan Matthews led the Gators with 13 blocks.
After tonight's matches the Cardinals are now 4-16 on the season, while Pine Manor College is now 2-12 on the season. The Cardinals will be back in action tomorrow for a tri-match at Dean College in Massachusetts. York will play against Lesley University at 1 p.m. and Dean College at 3 p.m.
