Urshela and Kostikas Sweep HVMAC Volleyball Weekly Awards

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Sophomore Raul Urshela (Orlando, FL/Colonial) was awarded Hudson Valley Men's Athletic Conference (HVMAC) Player of the Week while freshman teammate Taso Kostikas (Brooklyn, NY/Midwood) took home Rookie of the Week honors after the St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's volleyball team went 1-2 during the week including a win over HVMAC foe Webb Institute.

Urshela averaged 4.9 points per set over the three-match stretch highlighted by a season-high 19-kill, 5-block performance during a five-set loss to Yeshiva. The sophomore outside hitter nearly recorded his first double-double of the season with his 16-kill, 9-dig effort in the Bears' win over Webb. Urshela currently leads the team in kills (2.86 k/s) and blocks (0.89 b/s) on the season, ranking in the top five in both categories in the HVMAC.

Kostikas anchored the Bears defense averaging 3.0 digs per set during the week for St. Joseph's including a career-high 16 digs vs. Yeshiva. The freshman outside hitter also slammed down three kills in each of the three matches and had a career-high three service aces against the Maccabees. Kostikas currently leads the Bears in digs and ranks fifth in the conference with 1.98 digs per set.

The Player of the Week accolade is the second received by a Bear this season with Urshela having taken home the honor earlier this season on March 5th. The sophomore has now won the award three times over the course of his career also earning the honor in March of last season. The Rookie of the Week honor is the first earned by a St. Joseph's player this season and is the first award earned by Kostikas in his young career.

St. Joseph's (3-10) returns to action tonight as they travel to Manhattan to take on John Jay College with first serve slated for 6 p.m.