Purchase, NY (April 3, 2016) – With a chance to advance to the Skyline Conference Tournament for the first time since 2009 on the line, Purchase College men's volleyball, fueled by "Old man Matt" – Matthew McCarthy on Senior Day – split the program's final, regular-season tri-match against Yeshiva and the College of Mount Saint Vincent.

In the process, the Panthers clinched the No.6 seed in the postseason – their first playoff berth since 2009, when the program won 12 matches and featured Skyline Player of the Year Daniel Grabowski-Clark. The 2009 installment fell in the conference semifinals to Bard College. This year's squad is bound for No. 3 The Sage Colleges Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

Although Purchase would fall to CMSV in today's opener, the Panthers rallied right after McCarthy's Senior Day festivities to deliver a 3-0 win over Yeshiva. The victory led to a memorable celebration by the team at center court as chants of "PLAYOFFS!!!" rung throughout the gym. The crowd also took advantage of honoring McCarthy with large blown up photos of his head shot attached to sticks, which were passed around before the match. McCarthy would be serenaded with cheers throughout the day.

The positive vibe paved the way for a 25-23, 25-14, 25-22 playoff-clinching victory over the Maccabees. The win also improved Purchase to 12-16 overall and 6-10 in conference play. The 12 wins are the most for the program since 2009 and come in the first season for head men's volleyball coach Antonia Sweet. Sweet, who will also lead the women's program in the fall, was elated in the post-match celebration. The team planned a party for McCarthy after the match, which was made all the more sweet by the win over YU.   

The afternoon also featured the return of Panther standout Kevin Carges (JR/Brockport, NY), who has missed the majority of the season with injury.

In the victory over YU, Riley Damerell (JR/Rochester, NY) paced the Panthers with 11 kills. He was followed by Luke Kubisch (FR/Delmar, NY) and McCarthy, who finished with seven and six kills, respectively.

Carges added two aces, two assists and 10 digs in the second match of his return. Damerell was also the high man in digs (14), while setter Andrew Schwab (JR/Merrick, NY) handed out a match-high 29 assists. Kubisch was the leader in blocks (2). Libero Austin Lynch (FR/Verona, NY) added 10 digs in the win.

This year's playoff bound roster features Christopher Williams (SO/Valley Stream, NY), Griffin Rapp (SO/Rochester, NY), Andy Tang (SO/Brooklyn, NY), Schwab, Carges, McCarthy, Lynch, Kubisch and Damerell.   

Purchase dropped the opener, 3-0 (25-11, 25-20, 25-21). In the loss, the Panthers were paced by Damerell and his 11 kills. Schwab added 16 assists in defeat, while Carges had 11 digs in his return to the court.

Tyler Cucullu led CMSV with 16 kills and 12 digs in the win over Purchase. Logan Dickover posted a match-high 21 assists.

The Dolphins then topped YU 3-0 in the second match of the day before Purchase returned to seal its postseason berth in the victory over the Macs. 

Notes: Surrounded by friends and family, McCarthy was recognized in a pre-match ceremony with tokens of appreciation, including a signed game ball from the team and a certificate of appreciation from the SID office. Among those in attendance were his mom, dad, cousins and aunt. He will be recognized again at Purchase's annual awards banquet on April 27. SID Bobby Ciafardini MCed the pre-match ceremonies, where McCarthy was celebrated for his mature ways, and as coach Sweet describes, his veteran leadership and "voice of reason" on the team.