Bears Conclude Season With Loss to Yeshiva in HVMAC Semis

NEW YORK, NY – The St. Joseph's College men's volleyball team wrapped up their 2011 season with a straight set loss to top-seeded Yeshiva University on Thursday night in the semifinals of the Hudson Valley Men's Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Bears played a spirited first set combining for eight kills and remained close midway through the set, but with Yeshiva leading 13-12, the Maccabees pulled away with a 7-1 run to take the opening set.

St. Joseph's couldn't regain any momentum in the second set allowing Yeshiva to run away with a 25-5 victory.

In the third and final set, the Bears found their stride again and applied some pressure on Yeshiva forcing eight ties and six lead changes, leading by as many as three, 13-10, but Yeshiva rallied to tie the set at 17-17 closed out the set 25-19.

Raymond Morales (Brooklyn, NY/Lasalle Academy) and Martin Torres (Ozone Park, NY/St. Francis Prep) led the St. Joseph's attack putting down three kills each. Torres also led the defense with seven digs, sharing team high honors with Muhammad Ali Bhatti (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison).

In ceremonies after the tournament, Torres was named to the All-Conference team for the second straight year. Head Coach Barbara Cwiekala was voted HVMAC Coach of the Year, her first time receiving the honor.