Franklin, MA.- The Dean College men's volleyball team fell in their home opener 0-3 versus the Massachusetts institute of Technology (MIT) on Tuesday night at Pieri Gymnasium. Dean now moves to 0-3 to begin the year, while MIT advances to 4-0.

The Bulldogs opened the match on a strong note, keeping the Engineers within three points until the halfway point of the first set. Rayan Eschelh (Revere, MA) opened the attack for the Bulldogs, scoring the first kill for Dean from Hunter Armitage (Westerly, RI). Eschelh later picked up an assist on a kill by Noah Allen (Windham, NH). Allen currently leads the Bulldogs on the year in kills (18), marking an impressive start to his freshman campaign. MIT's production substantially increased in the second half of the opening set, leading to their victory, 25-12. 

The second set was an increased challenge for Dean, quickly finding themselves down 10-1. However, with some strong offensive production from both Arthur Felicio (Saugus, Brazil) and Hayson Shing (Hong Kong), the Bulldogs gained their footing and brought the set to within four. Nunu Coward-Jackson (Fresno, CA) also picked up an assist for Felicio, who recorded a kill in the second set. MIT, however, would later take the set 25-16.

In the final set, Dean showed immense determination. After the Engineers got out to a 7-0 lead, the Bulldogs slowly climbed their way back into the set. Both Noah Allen and Mason Rua (Sao Pedro do Sul, Portugal) stepped up for Dean, generating multiple errors on the Engineers and bringing the Bulldogs past the double-digit mark. Dean also recorded five straight points in the back half of the set, all initiated by Allen. MIT eventually recorded the winning point, winning the set 25-14 and the match 0-3.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Wednesday, January 29th, traveling to play Russell Sage College in Albany, New York.