Men’s Volleyball Posts Season High in Kills in Doubleheader at Sarah Lawrence

BRONXVILLE, N.Y. —  The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's volleyball team racked up a season-high 44 kills in the first match of their Skyline Conference doubleheader with Sarah Lawrence but fell in four sets (25-22, 25-18, 21-25, 25-22) on Thursday evening. The Bears (0-9, 0-6) couldn't split the series falling in straight sets in the nightcap (25=16, 25-14, 25-17).

Matthew Helfant (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy International) totaled 29 kills on the evening and brother Alex Helfant (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy International) added 17 kills to lead the attack. Alejandro Oliveros (Brooklyn, N.Y./Grover Cleveland) dished out 45 assists over the twinbill.

How it Happened - Match 1

In an opening set that featured five ties and three lead changes, the Bears trimmed six-point deficit down to two late in the frame 23-21, but couldn't fully reel back the hosts and also dropped the second set after falling behind early in the frame.

SJC captured the third set using a 7-1 lead to take a 13-10 lead and never trailed again. The Helfant brothers slammed six kills each in the frame winning, 25-21.

After trailing by five early in the fourth, the Bears used a 10-2 run to move on top, 16-13. SJC still leading at 18-16 trying to force a fifth set, the Gryphons scored six unanswered to move ahead 22-18 and held off the Bears comeback bid.

M. Helfant led the way with 21 kills on .447 hitting also helping up 12 digs for a double-double. A. Helfant finished with 13 kills and also had 16 digs for a double-double. Oliveros rounded out three double-double efforts handing out a career-high 34 assists with 11 digs.

Sarah Lawrence was led by Nate Davis who put down 40 of the Gyrphons' 43 kills to go along with six aces.

How it Happened - Match 2

The Bears led for most of the first half of the opening set building as large as a four-point lead, but SJC couldn't keep the momentum going after the hard-fought opener and the Gryphons led by Davis' 27 kills took control the rest of the match.

The Helfant brothers combined for 12 kills and 20 digs in the losing effort. Oliveros dished out 11 assists.

Next Up

The Bears will play another Skyline doubleheader on Monday, March 14 heading to Yeshiva University for a double dip starting at 7:30 p.m. Live stats will be available at SJCBears.com/live