PURCHASE, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, N.Y. – Brooklyn men's volleyball team opened their Skyline Conference slate with a 0-3 (18-25, 17-25, 18-25) defeat to Purchase College on Friday night.

How it Happened

The Panthers controlled the momentum throughout the match, never trailing over three sets. Jeremias Martinez (Elmhurst, N.Y.) had a match-high five kills in the opening set but it wasn't enough as the hosts secured the frame, 25-18.

The Bears came within one during the second set, 8-7, following a kill from Richard Ortega (Roselle, N.J.). At 15-13, Purchase used a 7-1 spurt to add further separation before taking set two, 25-17.

Although the Bears fell behind 5-0 at the start of the third set, they fought back to tie the score at 9, thanks to kills from Mark Belov (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Frank Rivera (Astoria, N.Y.). However, a series of kills and service aces helped Purchase claim a 25-18 set win and a straight-set victory in the Skyline Conference.

Martinez finished with eight kills while Rivera totaled four. Rivera also had a team-best eight digs and Keiran McMullan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) had four. Gianfranco Guarraci (Elizabeth, N.J.) distributed 14 assists, brought up five digs, and served a pair of aces.

Up Next

The Bears continue Skyline Conference play on Monday, March 3 against Sarah Lawrence College in the first of five games next week. First serve is scheduled for 7 pm.