Men’s Volleyball Suffers Losses in Skyline Tri-Match with New Jersey City and Purchase

JERSEY CITY, N.J. — The St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) men's volleyball team was handed a pair of straight-set defeats in a Skyline Conference tri-match against New Jersey City University and Purchase on Saturday afternoon at the John J. Moore Center.

The Bears (0-14, 0-11) fell 25-10, 25-16, 25-9 to the Gothic Knights (16-8, 6-3) in the opening match. The Panthers (3-15, 2-8) took the second match 25-11, 25-16, 25-21.

How it Happened vs. NJCU

After the Bears took an early 6-5 lead in the first set, the Gothic Knights went on a 13-0 run; racking up nine kills and three service aces before taking the frame. The navy and gray would be more active in the second set, scoring 16, with Alejandro Oliveros (Brooklyn, N.Y./Grover Cleveland) putting up seven of his 12 assists. Down 17-9 in the third, kills from Matthew Helfant (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy International) and Rogers Hatanga Kwiringira (Corona, N.Y./Greater New York Academy) saw SJC take four of the next five points, 18-13. It was followed by an NJCU 4-0 run before winning the set by nine.

How it Happened vs. Purchase

The Panthers were aided by a pair of scoring runs in the opening set, including a 6-0 run to end the period 25-11. The second stanza started with nine ties and three lead changes as the Bears took advantage of miscues by Purchase. The teams were tied 13-13 with neither side leading by more than two in the stretch. However, PC finished out the set on a 12-3 run. 

After the Bears opened the third with a 6-4 lead, courtesy of a trio of Alex Helfant (Quito, Ecuador/Alliance Academy International) kills, Purchase built a 20-13 lead. However, a string of attack errors contributed to SJC's 8-4 run; trimming their deficit to three points, 24-21. A Marcus Garguilo kill for the Panthers cut the Bears' comeback attempt short, securing the win for Purchase.

For the Bears

• The Helfant brothers combined for 18 kills on the day. They also combined for 22 digs vs. Purchase. 
• Oliveros logged 26 assists between the two games.
• Hatanga Kwiringira recorded 8 kills on the day, with one service ace vs. Purchase. 
  

Next Up

The Bears visit their Clinton Hill neighbors Pratt Institute on Monday, March 28 for a doubleheader. The twin bill is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. with live stats and video available at SJCBears.com/live.