NEW YORK, NY - The Yeshiva University Men's Volleyball team faced a challenging home match against the Pratt Institute Cannoneers. Both teams fought hard, but Yeshiva ultimately fell to the Cannoneers, 3-0, on Tuesday, February 18th.

Leading the way for the Maccabees was middle blocker Massimo Bertini, who recorded seven kills on the night. He was joined by Aden Frohlich and Jonathan Werta, who contributed five and four kills, respectively.

Setter Amiti Trabelsi proved a force on both sides of the ball, tallying a stat line of 14 assists, two service aces, two blocks and seven digs.

With the loss, the Macs are now 1-6.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Yeshiva's first points of the night came from a well-executed kill from Bertini off an assist from Trabelsi. Despite a back-and-forth exchange, the Macs stayed within striking distance, fueled by key kills from Frohlich keeping them within 2 points. Midway through the set, Yeshiva gained momentum, capitalizing on Pratt's errors and a timely service ace from Trabelsi to take a 20-19 lead. However, the Cannoneers responded with a late push, edging ahead in the closing moments. The Macs fought to extend the set, with Bertini and Trabelsi leading the charge, but Pratt ultimately secured the set 25-22.
   
• Similar to the opening set, Yeshiva's first points of the second set also came from a kill from Bertini off a set from Trabelsi. The Maccabees were able to take early control of this set, with kills from Peter Osen and Menachem Solomon giving them a 7-4 lead. However, the Cannoneers battled back, eventually tying the game at 12-all and regaining the lead. As the set neared its conclusion, the Macs fought hard, rallying with crucial kills from Bertini and Osen, and a late service ace from Osen to bring them within two at 24-22. However, Pratt managed to close it out with a final kill, edging Yeshiva 25-22 in a hard-fought set.
   
• Yeshiva opened the third set with an early point off an attack error by Pratt, but the Cannoneers quickly responded. The Macs built a small lead at 4-2, but Pratt's strong serving fueled a 6-0 run that pushed them ahead 8-4. Despite Yeshiva's attempts to close the gap with key kills from Werta and Bertini, Pratt maintained control, extending their lead to 22-15. However, the Macs showed resilience, capitalizing on Pratt's errors to cut the deficit to 24-22 after a late kill from Frohlich. But a final service error from Yeshiva sealed the set for Pratt, who claimed a 25-22 victory to complete the sweep.

 
MAC LEADERS

•  Kills: Bertini (7), Frohlich (5), Werta (4)
• Aces: Trabelsi (2), Osen (1)
• Assists: Trabelsi (14), Werta (1), Rubin (1)
• Digs: Frohlich (7), Trabelsi (7), Werta (6)
• Blocks: Bertini (2), Trabelsi (2)

 
UP NEXT
The Maccabees will remain on their home court as they host their first Skyline Conference game of the season, welcoming the Old Westbury Panthers on February 23rd at 1:00 PM.