BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The St. Joseph's University, New York (Brooklyn) men's volleyball team dropped a five-set decision in their non-conference finale to Regis College on Sunday afternoon at The Hill Center, 2–3 (19–25, 21–25, 25–19, 25–23, 13–15).
The Pride gained separation midway through the opening set and maintained the advantage late despite early production from Jeremias Martinez (Elmhurst, N.Y.), who accounted for multiple point-ending swings to keep the Bears within reach. Trey DeMeo (Barnegat, N.J.) and James McNeice (Brooklyn, N.Y.) also had a pair of kills in the first but the visitors took the frame, 25-19.
The second set remained tighter throughout as there were eight ties and a pair of lead changes. Martinez led the Bears' attack with six kills along with DeMeo's pair. Leading 19-16, the visitors converted in the closing stages as a 9-3 spurt allowed the Pride to secure a 2–0 match lead.
St. Joseph's responded in the third with improved attacking efficiency and steadier defensive presence. Martinez recorded multiple kills during a mid-set stretch that allowed the Bears to build separation. The Bears controlled the latter portion of the frame to take the set 25–19 and extend the match.
The fourth set featured extended rallies and multiple late ties. Jack Buscaglia (Hackensack, N.J.) continued to balance the offense effectively, allowing Martinez and DeMeo to share the scoring load. Back-row stability kept points alive in transition, and the Bears capitalized on late side-out opportunities to edge the set 25–23 and force a deciding fifth.
In the final set, both teams traded points through the middle portion before Regis executed efficiently in the closing rallies. Trailing 13-12 following a McNeice kill, the Pride scored the final three points, capped off with an ace, to earn the five-set triumph; salvaging a win in their weekend trip to New York City.
Martinez paced the Bears with 20 kills, adding three blocks, nine digs, and a service ace. DeMeo followed with 14 kills, while Belov added six kills and three total blocks. McNeice had four kills, three digs, and a pair of blocks while Buscaglia directed the offense with 40 assists, six digs, and two aces. Keiran McMullan (Farmingdale, N.Y.) totaled 10 digs.
The Bears turn their attention to Skyline Conference play in 10 days, on Wednesday, February 25, at Yeshiva University. First serve is scheduled for 7 pm.
