NEW YORK, NY - Hosting their first tri-match of the 2025 season, the Yeshiva University Men's Volleyball team welcomed the Ramapo College Roadrunners and the St. Joseph's University Long Island Golden Eagles to the Max Stern Athletic Center. The Macs battled hard in both matchups but fell short, dropping both contests by a score of 3-0 on Sunday, March 9th.

Junior Jonathan Werta led the Maccabee offense, recording five kills in the first match and six in the second. Setter Amiti Trabelsi also made an impact, totaling 20 assists across both matches.

Defensively, Yoni Rubin and Zanvy Lesnoy anchored the backline. Rubin recorded five digs in the first match and eight in the second, while Lesnoy contributed six and five, respectively. Lesnoy also led the Macs with a team-high two blocks across both matches.

With the losses the Macs are now 1-13, 0-6 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED - Game 1 vs Ramapo College (L, 0-3)

• The Macs kept pace in the opening points of the first set, with Bertini and Werta delivering key kills to keep the score tight at 4-3. The next few points continued in similar fashion with points being traded back and forth. However, the Roadrunners soon found their rhythm, surging ahead with a dominant 13-point run to extend their lead to 21-7. Ramapo continued to remain in control, closing out the set with a 25-8 victory.
   
• The second set began with both teams exchanging early errors before the Roadrunners registered the first kill of the set. Yeshiva kept it close early on, with Bertini and Werta each delivering kills to bring the score to 5-3. The Macs capitalized on several Roadrunner errors and a service ace from Trabelsi, narrowing the gap to 10-9. However, much like the first set, Ramapo responded with a strong run, extending their lead to 18-11. Yeshiva fought back with another kill from Werta and a block by Lesnoy, keeping the set within reach. Trabelsi and Werta each added late kills for Yeshiva, but Ramapo maintained control, closing out the set with a 25-15 victory.
   
• Set three began in similar fashion with both teams exchanging early errors. Yeshiva's first kills of the set came from Peter Osen and Werta, keeping the score even at 3-3. Ramapo soon started to build momentum, taking control of the set. Yeshiva tried to fight back with a kill from Bertini and a solid effort from Lesnoy, but Ramapo's offense was too strong, and the Roadrunners surged ahead. By the time the set reached 16-11 in favor of Ramapo, Yeshiva found it difficult to respond. Despite a brief rally from the Macs, Ramapo closed out the set with a 25-18 victory to win the match 3-0 on Monday, March 9^th.
   

MAC LEADERS

• Kills: Werta (5), Bertini (3), Osen (2)
• Aces: Trabelsi (1)
• Assists: Trabelsi (7), Rubin (2), Lesnoy (1)
• Digs: Lesnoy (6), Werta (5), Rubin (5)
• Blocks: Lesnoy (2), Werta (1), Trabelsi (1)

 
HOW IT HAPPENED – Game 2 vs St. Joseph's University Long Island (L, 0-3)

• Yeshiva struggles to find their rhythm early in the first set, allowing St. Joseph's University Long Island to gain a four-point lead. A kill from Werta off an assist from Trabelsi and errors on the Golden Eagles side allowed Yeshiva to pull it to one. The Macs continued to keep pace, with Massimo Bertini and Werta each delivering kills to keep the score at 12-15. However, the Golden Eagles quickly built momentum, capitalizing on attack errors and strong offensive play to go on a run. Despite Yeshiva's efforts to stay in the match, including a kill from Lesnoy to make it 24-13, it would not be enough. The Golden Eagles closed out the set with a final kill, securing a 25-13 victory.
   
• Yeshiva's first points of set two came from a kill by Werta, but St. Joseph's responded quickly with a service ace and a kill leading 3-1. The teams continued to trade points, with both sides capitalizing on errors from the opposition. Werta kept Yeshiva in the game with multiple kills, including one from an assist by Trabelsi. The Golden Eagles strong offense continued to push ahead. Yeshiva stayed within striking distance, using a series of errors from St. Joseph to tie the score multiple times at 6 all, 8, and 13. Despite a strong push from the Macs, including a kill from Bertini, St. Joseph closed out the set with a 25-19 victory.
   
• Set three started with both teams exchanging early errors, but St. Joseph quickly gained momentum building a 9-2 lead. Yeshiva responded with a kill from Werta off an assist from Trabelsi, but St. Joseph continued to dominate, increasing their lead. Despite a brief rally from Yeshiva, including kills from Osen and Menachem Solomon, St. Joseph's offense remained strong. A few more errors from Yeshiva allowed St. Joseph to maintain their advantage. In the end, St. Joseph finished the set 25-15, securing a 3-0 victory in the match.
   

MAC LEADERS

• Kills: Werta (6), Osen (5), Bertini (4)
• Aces: Solomon (1)
• Assists: Trabelsi (13), Lesnoy (3), Osen (1)
• Digs: Rubin (8), Lesnoy (5), Trabelsi (5)
• Blocks: Bertini (1)

 
UP NEXT
Continuing conference play, the Macs will host the St. Joseph's University Brooklyn Bears at 7:00pm on Tuesday, March 11th.