BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, N.Y. (Brooklyn) men's volleyball team opened the 2024 campaign with a 0-3 (18-25, 20-25, 13-25) defeat to Brooklyn College on Thursday night.
How it Happened
The opening set featured six ties and as many lead changes early on. With the Bears holding an 8-6 lead, the Bulldogs benefited from four unanswered points to reclaim the advantage, holding on for good in a 25-18 triumph. Lasha Kemashvili (Brooklyn, N.Y./James Madison) and Alex Helfant (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy International) combined for four of the Bears' kills in the set.
The hosts had the edge for much of the second set. Following an SJBK timeout, their deficit hovered around a four-point difference as the stretch was highlighted by a Helfant kill and a Levin Ma (Brooklyn, N.Y./Port Richmond) ace. The Bulldogs ultimately took the middle set, 25-20.
The Bears were placed in a 9-2 hole to begin the third frame, increasing to 21-9. Kemashvili poured in a set-leading four kills with Frank Tello (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy International) following up with a pair of his own but their efforts were insufficient, falling 25-13.
For the Bears
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Kemashvili totaled six kills to lead the SJBK attack. He also had a pair of solo blocks.
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Helfant finished with four kills and as many digs.
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Tello totaled three kills.
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Ma handed out 13 assists and brought up a trio of digs in addition to his second-set ace.
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Keiran McMullan (Farmingdale, N.Y./Plainedge) had a match-high nine digs.
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Frank Rivera (Astoria, N.Y./Gramercy Arts) logged eight digs to go with a pair of kills.
Up Next
The Bears visit Bryn Athyn College for a doubleheader on Saturday, February 3 at 2 pm. They'll remain in Pennsylvania for a tri-match hosted by King's College (Pa.) on Sunday, February 4.
