Men’s Volleyball Wins First Set Ever, but Loses Doubleheader to Southern Vermont

BENNINGTON, VT - St. Joseph's College men's volleyball won their first set ever in intercollegiate competition, taking the first set 30-27 in the first game of the doubleheader against Southern Vermont College.  The Bears were unable to hold off the Mountaineers in a close battle between two winless teams.  St. Joseph's lost the first match 3-1 (27-30, 30-27, 30-23, 30-23) and the second match 3-0 (30-26, 30-24, 33-31).  Southern Vermont improves to 2-12, breaking a 32 game losing streak, and St. Joseph's falls to 0-6.

It was a long road trip for the Bears who travelled over five hours with both matches taking nearly four hours to complete.  Despite the long day, the team fought hard, playing their closest matches of the season, exchanging the lead with the Mountaineers throughout.

Jon Matzelle(Queens, NY/St. Francis Prep) led the offensive attack with 12 kills over the two matches.  In the opening match, three Bears registered double-digit digs, led by Maciej Sadowski (Brooklyn, NY/Cathedral Prep) with 12 digs and Pat Chiarel (Queens, NY/Archbishop Molloy) and Ed Han (McLean, VA/W.T. Woodson) each digging up 10.  Han also dished out nine assists over the doubleheader.

Joseph Karnik led Southern Vermont with 33 kills for the two matches.  Richard Harrington dished out 43 assists.  Southern Vermont served 33 aces, but also committed 50 service errors.

St. Joseph's returns to action on Tuesday for their home opener against Webb Institute.  Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Brooklyn Technical High School.