SPRINGFIELD, Mass., January 19, 2007 – Springfield College junior outside hitter Eric Palumbo (Chili, N.Y.) led all players with 18 kills, seven digs and three service aces as the Pride defeated Nazareth College, 3-0, this evening in non-conference action at Blake Arena. Palumbo also added four blocks to register a match-high 23.5 points.

SC won a back-and-forth game one, 30-25, by hitting .567 as a team with 19 kills on 30 swings and just two errors. The Pride then captured games two and three by scores of 30-18 and 30-24, respectively, as SC hit .400 as a team for the match compared to Nazareth’s .100. The Golden Flyers fall to 1-1 overall on the young season and the Pride improves to 1-3.

SC freshman outside hitter Andrew Nally (Rochester, N.Y.) continued his solid play with 14 kills and just one error on 22 swings for an impressive .591 hitting percentage. Nally also contributed with three blocks for 16 points. Sophomore middle blocker Andy Sipe (New Oxford, Pa.) chipped in with 11 points on six kills and a match-best seven blocks.

Nazareth College was led by junior outside hitter Tom Maving and sophomore outside hitter Joe Petzoldt with 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Sophomore libero Chris DeHority paced the squad with six digs on the night.

In the assists category, Pride junior Chris Shekell (Rochester, N.Y.) had 39 compared to Nazareth sophomore Frank Leahy, who recorded 27.

SC will next travel to Endicott College tomorrow evening, January 20th, for yet another non-conference match at 6:00 p.m.

published: 01/19/2007