Purchase, NY (March 30, 2017) – The Purchase College men's volleyball team eclipsed last season's previous best win total Thursday night by ringing in Senior Night with their 13th victory.

The Panthers, which had previously won 12 as a team since participating in the Skyline Conference, including last year's benchmark, have now set a new program record. And to boot, Purchase and first-year head coach Christopher Husmann did it on Senior Night, honoring the program's "Core Four."

Better yet, the Panthers still have some regular-season schedule remaining to improve on that win total. Purchase will host a tri-match on Saturday and are on track for the league postseason, currently tied for fourth in the league standings. The top six teams advance to the Skyline tournament.

As for tonight, the Panthers swept the visiting City College of New York (25-15, 25-20, 25-15).

Prior to the match, Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini MCed a brief ceremony honoring the program's four seniors: Giovanni Spadaro (SR/Melville, NY), Riley Damerell (SR/Rochester, NY), Kevin Carges (SR/Brockport, NY) and Andrew Schwab (SR/Merrick, NY).

"This senior class has been everything i could have asked for and more," Husmann wrote in speech delivered by Ciafardini. "They have made my transition from college player to college coach a smooth one; they have been supportive but also challenge me at the same time."

Surrounded by friends and family, Spadaro was the first to be introduced.

"Gio has been an excellent two-sport athlete, having never played volleyball before to being a crucial player on the team, not only in practices but in the games as well," Husmann said.

Damerell followed. His speech included plenty of laughs from the crowd.

"Riley has done a superb job not just being an outside transitioning to setter and a self-proclaimed captain, but he also does an excellent job at finding a place to eat after every away game, so the team does not starve."

Damerell, who likes Spadaro plays two sports at Purchase, has amassed over 600 assists, over 500 kills and 500 digs for his Panther career.  

Captains Carges and Schwab completed the evening.

"Kevin is a tremendous talent, on and off the volleyball court. Having an all-conference player on your team will make any first year coach's job easy, but his attitude is what really makes my job easy, he would never question anything I said, he would just do it."

Carges, who was named to the Skyline Conference honor roll for player of the week this past week, has eclipsed 1,000 kills, and has over 600 digs and nearly 200 aces for his career.

Schwab was the final senior introduced. He recently set the program mark for assists, moving over 1,000. He is also currently tied for triple-doubles in NCAA Division III.

"Andrew has played almost every position in college and it continues this year being the setter and the right side, switching back and forth from game-to-game. He is a great leader and captain. He is a huge part of why this is the most successful season in program history," Husmann concluded.

Schwab has over 1000 assists for his career, 500 plus digs and nearly 500 kills in four seasons.

"I am extremely thankful to have had this senior class for my first year as a head coach," Husmann said.

The great vibes from the night continued into the match, where Carges led the team with 13 kills. His match high was followed by Schwab (9) and Damerell (4). Damerell totaled 28 assists – a match high – to lead that category. Carges paced the team defensively with 14 digs, also a match high on the night.  

CCNY's David Cham passed the visitors with nine kills. Oleksandr Boychuk added 17 assists. Carlos Maldonado Madrid led the Beavers with 13 digs.

Purchase's seniors received certificates from the SID program. They will also be honored with senior gifts during the department's annual awards banquet on Thursday, April 27 (6-9 p.m.) in the upper lobby of the Performing Arts Center. Senior parents are invited to attend.