OLD WESTBURY, NY - The Yeshiva University Men's Volleyball team traveled to Old Westbury for their second tri-match of the season, taking on The College of Old Westbury Panthers and the St. Joseph's University Brooklyn Bears. Despite their efforts, the Macs fell short in both matches, losing 3-0 on Sunday, March 16th.

Leading the Maccabees was the dynamic duo of outside hitter Jonathan Werta and setter Amiti Trabelsi. Werta delivered an impressive performance with 13 kills, one block, and 16 digs across both matches, while Trabelsi orchestrated the offense with 17 assists, adding two kills and four digs to his stat line.

Yoni Rubin was a defensive standout, notching a season-high 13 digs in the first match, and adding four more in the second, proving to be a key anchor for Yeshiva's back row.

The day also marked a special moment for junior middle blocker Ari Shklyar, who made his Maccabee debut. He contributed with one kill, one assist, two blocks, and seven digs across the two contests, making his first appearance in blue and white a memorable one.

With the losses the Macs are now 1-17, 0-9 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED - Game 1 vs Old Westbury College (L, 0-3)

• Set one started off strong for the Panthers, as Yeshiva could not find their rhythm giving up 7 early points. A kill from Rubin off an assist from Trabelsi put the Macs on the board, but the Panthers
   
• The Maccabees began the second set with energy, but so did the Panthers. As the Panthers came out fast again, building a lead. Yeshiva middle blocker Bertini answered back with two key kills, keeping the score at 5-2. However, Old Westbury's offensive rhythm continued to push the pace. Werta and Trabelsi each tallied kills for the Macs, while Shklyar contributed at the net with a big block bringing the score to 15-6. Rubin also chipped in with a late kill, but the Panthers' serving proved tough to handle, as several aces continued to stretch their lead. Yeshiva showed resilience in the final stretch, fighting off multiple set points with a kill from Trabelsi, an attack error forced by Bertini, and a service ace from Bertini to bring the score to 24-11. However, Old Westbury closed it out with one final point to secure the set 25-11.
   
• The Macs came out strong in set three, with Rubin getting an early kill off a set from Bertini. Werta and Trabelsi kept the offense rolling, with Trabelsi setting up multiple key plays, including a kill for Rubin that gave Yeshiva an early 4-2 lead. Old Westbury responded by evening the score. Yeshiva stayed resilient, with Werta and Bertini delivering back-to-back kills to keep the Macs within striking distance at 13-15. Shklyar also added a kill, showing his presence at the net. Momentum swung towards Old Westbury after a pair of service aces pushed their lead to 18-13. The Macs did not back down, though, with Rubin and Werta connecting again to cut the deficit to 16-19. Rubin later forced an error from Old Westbury to pull Yeshiva within three points at 21-24. Despite their late push, the Panthers closed it out on a final Yeshiva attack error winning the set 25-21 and sealing the victory on the match.
   

MAC LEADERS

• Kills: Werta (7), Rubin (4), Bertini (3)
• Aces: Trabelsi (1), Bertini (1)
• Blocks: Shklyar (1)
• Assists: Trabelsi (13), Rubin (1), Bertini (1)
• Digs: Rubin (13), Bertini (8), Werta (7)

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

• Set one began rocky for Yeshiva, as the Bears quickly gained momentum. A powerful service run by the Bears, tally six consecutive aces, put the Macs on their heels and pushing St. Joseph's to a dominant 15-1 lead. Yeshiva fought to regroup, with Bertini and Gabe Simon-Hakalir trying to shift the momentum. They managed a few points off opponent errors, but St. Joseph's stayed in control. Despite late efforts from Werta and Shklyar, who capitalized on a few St. Joseph mistakes, the Macs could not close the gap. St. Joseph's sealed the set with a final kill by a score of 25-8.
   
• Like set one, set two saw an early run by the Bears. With three straight service aces and forcing a Yeshiva attack error to give St. Joe's a quick 4-0 lead. Yeshiva managed to get on the board, but St. Joseph's momentum did not waver further extending the lead to 9-2. Yeshiva showed signs of life when Bertini and Werta delivered a couple of timely kills and blocks bringing the score to12-5, but St. Joseph's stayed firmly in control. The Bears once again continued to dominate on serving racking up another four aces to bring their lead up to 22-6. Yeshiva fought for a few late points, including a Trabelsi-to-Bertini kill, but the set ended on a Yeshiva attack error, giving St. Joseph's a 25-9 win.
   
• Once again, St. Joseph's found themselves with an early lead. Yeshiva fought back with Bertini and Werta finding a few openings to keep the score at 8-3, but St. Joe's relentless attack kept control. Yeshiva clawed back a few points off St. Joe's errors and a Rubin kill, narrowing it to 11-8, but the Bears answered with a service ace and back-to-back kills to stretch the lead again. The Bears continued as they brought their lead to 20-10. Yeshiva tried, but at this point they were unable to come back as the Bears took the match and won the third set by a score of 25-13.
   

MAC LEADERS

• Kills: Werta (4), Bertini (3), Deutsch (1)
• Blocks: Shklyar (1), Werta (1)
• Assists: Trabelsi (4), Simon-Hakalir (1)
• Digs: Werta (9), Bertini (4), Shklyar (4)

 
UP NEXT
It's a big week ahead for the Maccabees with back-to-back matches on the schedule. They'll face off against the Manhattanville Valiants next, with first serve set for 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 16th.