The CCRI men’s club volleyball team competed in the NECVL (New England Club Volleyball League) Championship this past weekend, which took place at the University of New Hampshire. The Knights compete in Division II of the NECVL, and they entered the championship tournament ranked 10th. After multiple games on Saturday and Sunday, the Knights finished the weekend in the sixth spot in the division.

This season marked another year of very strong competition in the NECVL after they realigned the conferences into two divisions, making for more competitive matches in every tournament. CCRI is the only community college in their division and for good reason, as the Knights always hold their own against tough competition.

On Saturday, the Knights had a full four-game plate on their hands. The first matchup was against the University of New England, a four-year school from Maine. CCRI made quick work, taking the first set 25-16, then the second 25-14, which spelled a very good start to the weekend for CCRI. Game 2 was against Westfield State, a four-year school in Massachusetts. The Knights won the first set, 28-26, but could not sustain their play, dropping the next two sets, 14-25, and 17-19. The Knights’ third matchup was against Central Connecticut State (four-year school) and the Knights also dropped that match, 20-25, and 17-25. The Knights’ final game on Saturday was against Marist University, another four-year school. The Knights ran out of steam by the end and lost the first two sets.

The Knights’ victory in Game 1 was just enough to sneak them into the No. 8 seed, which kept them alive to play on Sunday as the No. 9 and 10 seeds are dropped.

The Knights’ first matchup on Sunday was against one of their rivals, Bryant University. CCRI could not beat its rival on this day, as it dropped the sets, 21-25, and 13-25. The Knights kept on playing, though, as they won their first matchup in the silver bracket versus UConn. The Knights won the first two sets, 25-19, and 27-25. The Knights then had to face New Haven for their seventh game in two days. The Knights still fought hard, though, as they took New Haven to three sets after winning the second one 25-20, but finally fell, 11-15, in the final set.

The Knights’ defense was the key all weekend as it was led by Brian Lamoureux (North Smithfield, R.I.), Manny Pickering (Warwick, R.I.) and Patrick Carlson (South Kingstown, R.I.). The defense kept the ball alive plenty enough for Peng Lee (Providence, R.I.) and Eric Silveira (Pawtucket, R.I.) to do their jobs as setters and run the team with 138 combined assists. This led to many kill opportunities for guys like Eric Towne (Riverside, R.I.), 36 kills, Jonathan Menard (West Warwick, R.I.), 26 kills, Jake Johnson (Warwick, R.I.), 31 kills, and Derek Lewis (Boston, Mass.), 31 kills. The front row also ended with 41 blocks for points.

The Knights will now head off to the National Tournament for the second consecutive year, as this year they will be traveling to Louisville, Ky. The National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Championship Tournament will be held at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Grounds from April 7 to 9.