Bears Volleyball Avoids Sweep Over Weekend, Fall in Four Sets

BROOKLYN, NY – The St. Joseph's College men's volleyball team (1-12) snaped a streak of eight straight-set losses, losing in 3-1 to Webb, Medgar Evers and Regis over the weekend.

Against Webb, the Bears got off to a slow start dropping the first set 30-9, but fought back to draw the match even 31-29.  Despite gaining over points in the final two sets to their HVMAC conference rival, St. Joseph's fell short.  Kester Stephens (/) led the Bears with 11 kills and Muhammad Ali Bhatti (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison) recored a 19 assist, 17 dig double-double.

In the first match of the tri-match on Sunday against Medgar Evers, St. Joseph's nearly took the opening set, dropping 30-28 and losing the second 30-21.  After taking the third set 30-23, Medgar roared back to close out the set 30-13.  Mike Modugno (Astoria, NY/St. John's Prep) led St. Joseph's with four kills, Ed Han (McLean, VA/W.T. Woodson) had 16 digs and Bhatti dished out 14 assists.

In the final game between two evenly matched teams, the Bears gave a 2-0 set lead to Regis before taking the third set 30-18 and nearly forcing a deciding set dropping the fourth set 30-28.  Bhatti dished out 29 assists, setting a new single game record, and had 19 digs recording his second double-double of the weekend.  Martin Torres (Ozone Park, NY/St. Francis Prep) put away 10 kills.