Lakers Coast to a 3-0 Sweep Over Clarkson
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - In the final match of their home opener doubleheader, the Lakers would end the day on a high note, securing a 3-0 sweep over the visiting Clarkson University Club Knights.
For the Lakers, outside hitter Jonah Grbic (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) led the way with 17 kills, hitting an impressive .393 and adding 4 service aces and 10 digs to a strong performance.
Libero AJ DeBalso (Canandaigua, N.Y./ Canandaigua) contributed with 1 kill, 2 aces, and 4 digs, while Ian Meeks (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) and Nick Ferris (Canandaigua, N.Y./ Cananadaigua) provided solid support with 6 kills and 8 kills, respectively. Meeks would add 17 assists, helping set up the Lakers on the attack. Jarett Campbell (Friendship, N.Y./ Cuba-Rushford) made his mark in his first set played of the day, finishing it off with a kill to win the first set, and teammate Bryce Ceravolo (Canandaigua, N.Y./ Canandaigua) would put together a solid afternoon, adding 3 block assists and 20 assists to his tally in the Lakers win.
The Lakers exploded with a powerful start in set one, thanks to strong play from Samuel Guardado (San Salvador, El Salvador/ Josue Christian) and AJ DeBalso that would give them an early 9-5 lead. Ian Meeks (Victor, N.Y./ Victor) was a force, contributing to the Lakers success with hustle plays and vital kills during the middle of the set. The Lakers would seal the deal in set one with two thundering service aces from Jonah Grbic and a finishing kill from Jarett Campbell (Friendship, N.Y./ Cuba-Rushford), who was playing his first set of the day, securing a commanding 25-15 win.
Set two proved to be a closer battle with the Knights, with the Lakers narrowly leading 13-10 at the start. However, Jonah Grbic rose to the challenge and delivered a clutch kill that prompted a timeout from the Knights, boosting the Lakers lead to 20-14. Emerging from the break, the Lakers dominated the rest of the set and secured a 25-17 victory. In the face of defeat, the Knights put up a strong fight in set three, briefly taking a 15-14 lead. Unfazed, Grbic once again stepped up with a crucial kill and three consecutive services resulting in points that gave the Lakers a 20-16 advantage. The Lakers rode this wave of momentum to a 25-21 win in set three and would go on to sweep the final match of the day, 3-0.
After splitting their two matches of the day, the Lakers sit an impressive 4-2 on the season. The team will enjoy a break from play after two hard-fought matches and follow it up with a road matchup with SUNY Poly and Wells College next Saturday, February 18th at SUNY Polytechnic.
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