Box Score 

Purchase, NY (Feb. 21, 2014) – The Purchase College men's volleyball team got back to its winning ways on Friday night at home.

After several strong starts and poor finishes in previous recent outings, where the team couldn't closeout matches in the win column, the Panthers took to the comfort of home and started and finished strong in sweeping non-conference Pratt Institute, 3-0.

Purchase won convincingly 25-10, 25-13, 25-14.

The opening set was highlighted by eight kills by Kevin Carges (FR/Brockport, NY). He tallied eight of the team's 11 in the first set. The rookie outside hitter finished with a match and team high 15. The second set saw a more balanced attack for Purchase, who received some strong play from middle hitter Chris Lynch (SR/East Islip, NY). Lynch, who finished with four kills, recorded two in the second set.

The finale was paced by Kevon Kareem Bruce (SR/Hayes, Jamaica), who added three of his five kills in the clincher.

The Panthers played extremely well defensively, with Bruce totaling 25 digs. Carges, Andrew Schwab (FR/Merrick, NY) and Riley Damerell (FR/Rochester, NY) followed with 21, 15 and 12, respectively.

Schwab and Damerell were also unselfish in the contest, handing out 14 and 10 assists. Chase Lokke (SO/Granite Bay, CA) and Matthew McCarthy (SO/Fayetteville, NY) also performed well in the victory.

Purchase head coach Tom Callahan was pleased with the outcome and the team's effort. "We have a young squad and we've had a few ups and downs of late, but I feel they bounced back nicely tonight and hopefully they can continue to play well throughout and finish matches strong. That's all part of the learning process when you have a young team."

In the loss, Pratt was led by David Cutler and his six kills.

Purchase returns to action Monday at home, when the Panthers welcome non-conference opponent Lehman College for a 7 p.m. start. Next week's action will also include the program's annual home quad match on Sunday, March 2.