Purchase, NY (Feb. 8, 2017) – Purchase College men's volleyball posted a 3-1 non-conference decision Wednesday night at home.

The Panthers improved to 3-2 on the season, dropping visiting Lehman College to 2-6. Purchase opened by taking the first two sets. Lehman countered with its best performance of the night in the third set, but Purchase managed to rebound quickly in closing out the match in the fourth.

Purchase earned a 25-20, 25-22, 11-25, 25-18 victory against a tough non-league opponent in the CUNY's Lightning – overall record withstanding.

In the opening set, the score was tied 2-2 and 3-3 before Purchase took a 5-3 advantage. The Panthers used an early spurt as a springboard to taking the first set. They led 15-11 and then seized a 22-20 and 24-20 margin. Purchase secured the first set on the service of newcomer Andreo Otiniano (FR/Mamaroneck, NY). The first-year standout has played well in his rookie campaign thus far. His service ace sunk Lehman in the opening set, 25-20.

The second set featured an early 3-1 lead for Purchase, which then opened to 7-2. The two teams had an extended rally for the eighth point, with the Panthers leaping out to an 8-2 and then 9-3 score.

Lehman showed its mettle, pulling within two, 15-13, and then tying the score at 17-all. But Otiniano helped once again with his service, as the Panthers took a 19-17 lead. The Lightning would recover and tie the score, 19-19. But veteran leader Riley Damerell (SR/Rochester, NY) helped seal the second set with his service play, recording points to make it 23-21. The Panthers finished off the set, 25-22. .

Despite falling in the second set, Lehman utilized improved play in the frame heading into the third. The third set was all Lehman. The visitors led 17-9 and never looked back, finishing off the set, 25-11.

Panther head coach Christopher Husmann helped settle Purchase heading into the fourth. The Panthers trailed 3-1 early, but immediately came back to tie it up, 4-4, before swinging the fourth set in their favor, 16-12. Purchase would then reel off five of the next eight points played for a 21-15 advantage. The Panthers would then close out the set, winning four of the next seven points, culminating with a Christopher Williams (JR/Valley Stream, NY) kill for the victory (25-18).

The Panthers were paced offensively by star Kevin Carges (SR/Brockport, NY). He totaled 17 kills. Andrew Schwab (SR/Merrick, NY) was impressive both offensively and defensively, totaling 10 kills, a match-high 22 digs, 14 assists and one block to his credit – a complete all-around, triple-double performance. Damerell followed with seven kills and a match-high 22 assists. Carges and Williams amassed the lead in blocks (2).  

The Lighting were led by Roberto Ventura Diaz (15 kills), Emmanuel Ortiz (18 assists) and Yordy Diaz (19 digs).

Purchase will now get a small break in the schedule. The Panthers return to action at the College of Staten Island on Feb. 23.