PURCHASE, NY - Competing in their third tri-match of the season, the Yeshiva men's volleyball team dropped a pair of contests on Sunday, Mar. 10, falling to The University of Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins and Purchase College Panthers, both by scores of 3-0.
 
Offensively, the Maccabees were helmed by the ever-reliable duo of Lavi Friedman and Eli Waxman, with the former posting eight kills over two matches, while the latter recorded 18 assists.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, Michael Stark and Andrew Pinchot shone for YU, as Stark tallied seven digs against Purchase, while Pinchot led the team with two blocks versus UMSV.
 
With the losses, the Macs are now 0-17, 0-8 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED - Game 1 vs University of Mount Saint Vincent (L, 0-3)

• The Macs jumped out to an early lead in set number one, with a pair of Pinchot kills rocketing the squad out to a 3-2 advantage. While that edge could not stand up to five consecutive Dolphin points, Yeshiva was able to remain competitive, keeping UMSV within striking distance over the next dozen serves. However, as the scoreboard read 17-11, the floodgates were forced open by a 7-0 Dolphin run. Unable to recover from such a stretch, the Macs fell, 25-13.
   
• Continuing the trend of early success, Yeshiva successfully kept pace with the high-powered Dolphin attack to kick off set two, as the score stood at 13-12 halfway through the period. However, it was then that UMSV were able to secure separation, outsourcing YU 13-3, and winning the set, 25-15.
   
• Despite capturing an early advantage in the third set, leading 3-2 off the powerful right hand of Pinchot, Yeshiva's success proved fleeting. Held to just seven more points at two more kills, the Macs ultimately dropped the period, 25-9, and the match 0-3.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Kills: Pinchot (3), Werta (2), Friedman (2)
• Aces: Lesnoy (1), Trabelsi (1)
• Blocks: Pinchot (2), Cillo (1)
• Assists: Waxman (11), Cillo (1), Pinchot (1)
• Digs: Friedman (6), Lazarus (4), Waxman (3)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED - Game 2 vs Purchase College (L, 0-3)

• The Macs struggled in the first set, managing just eight points and one kill, eventually falling by a score of 25-8.
   
• Looking to overcome the shortcomings of the previous period, YU kicked off the second set firing on all cylinders, rocketing out to a 6-4 lead thanks to powerful kills from Waxman and Jarret Lazarus. While Yeshiva was able to maintain their edge over the next five serves, their grip on the game proved tenuous, as the Panthers surged ahead. After losing the advantage for the last time at 8-9, the Macs could only watch as PC embarked on a 17-5 run, one that rounded out the set at 25-11, despite the late back-to-back Friedman kills that stretched YU's point total into the double digits.
   
• Despite having already played five grueling sets with little rest in between, the Maccabees continued to battle, leading after the first dozen serves at 7-5. While the Panthers overtook them, YU never gave up the fight, scrapping for every last point and diving for every ball. Yeshiva never allowed their deficit to extend into the double digits in the third and final set, yet their effort was simply not enough to match Purchase's offensive output, ultimately dropping the set, 25-17, and the match, 0-3.

 
MAC LEADERS

• Kills: Friedman (6), Waxman (3), Lazarus (3)
• Aces: Friedman (1), Pinchot (1), Lazarus (1)
• Blocks: Werta (1), Lesnoy (1), Friedman (1)
• Assists: Waxman (7), Lesnoy (6), Baker (1)
• Digs: Stark (7), Waxman (5), Friedman (3)

 
UP NEXT
Getting the chance at a rematch just a day later, this time at home, the Macs will host UMSV on Monday, Mar. 11 at 8:00 PM.