Webb Slips by Bears in Season Finale

BROOKLYN, NY – In their final regular season match, St. Joseph's volleyball gave all they had, but couldn't pull out a victory over Webb Institute. The two teams met a little over a week ago with Webb coming out on top 3-1. This was another close Hudson Valley Conference match, but the Bears ultimately fell three sets to zero.

The two teams went back and forth in an action packed first set that was close throughout. The score remained within a point and even needed to go into overtime. St. Joseph's couldn't find a way to pull ahead however, losing 26-24.

The second set was another nail biter. After the score was tied at 12-12 it looked like Webb was starting to break away taking a 20-15 lead. But Matthew Walsh (Kew Gardens, NY/Long Island City) led a comeback as the Bears scored five straight points, including three services aces by Walsh, to tie the game at 20-20. Webb however scored the next four points and St. Joseph's couldn't muster another comeback as Webb took the second set 25-23.

By the third set, the Bears had given what they could and Webb took advantage with a decisive victory, 25-14. Ryan Pfeifer collected eight of his 11 service aces in the frame, five coming at the end to seal the win.

Martin Torres (Ozone Park, NY/St. Francis Prep) was the leader for the Bears with six kills and five digs and Muhammad Ali Bhatti (Brooklyn, NY/James Madison) had a game-high tying ten digs. Raymond Morales (Brooklyn, NY/Lasalle Academy) chipped in with seven service aces and Iqbal Husain (West Palm Beach, FL/Palm Beach Gardens) handed out 11 assists.

Webb finished with 32 team kills, 12 coming from Jared Harlan. Pfeifer also finished with eight kills and ten digs in addition to his 11 service aces to complete the double-double.

St. Joseph's wraps up its season on Thursday, April 7th in the Hudson Valley Men's Athletic Conference Championships at Yeshiva. The fourth seeded Bears will take on top seed and tournament host, Yeshiva in semifinals. The two semifinal matches are set to kick off at 6:00 pm with the finals immediately following.