Purchase, NY (March 7, 2017) – The Purchase College men's volleyball team won for the fifth time in six tries Tuesday night.

The Panthers, who had won three straight before splitting the weekend action on the road, returned to Purchase and bested non-conference opponent John Jay College in four sets – 20-25, 25-21, 25-13, 25-20.

Purchase improved to 7-3 in the contest, rallying from an 0-1 deficit to come-from-behind and take the match in four sets.

John Jay (8-10) opened trailing but tied the set at 6-6 and later 9-9. The Panthers managed to lead 14-11, the way they had early in the frame, but the see-saw battle culminated with a close score throughout, including a 15-15 tie late. The Bloodhounds then turned the first set in their favor, going up 17-16 and closing the frame by winning eight of the next 12 points.

The first set loss seemed to rev up host Purchase, which watched as John Jay posted a better first-set attack percentage. Before a nice home crowd, the Panthers seized a 9-5 advantage in the second set. On the serve, Giovanni Spadaro (SR/Melville, NY) highlighted the next spurt, as Purchase led 11-5. The Panthers also saw sharp play from Andreo Otiniano (FR/Mamaroneck, NY) in the set. The rookie helped the Panthers take an 18-10 lead on their way to closing out a four-point win that tied the match at 1-all.

The third set swung the match in Purchase's favor. The Panthers leapt out to a 6-5 lead, but John Jay showed its mettle, tying the set at 7-7 before the Panthers outscored the visitors 13-5 to take a commanding 20-12 margin on the serve of Riley Damerell (SR/Rochester, NY). Teammate Kevin Carges (SR/Brockport, NY) finished off the set on his serve. Purchase took the third set, 25-13, and set the tone for the remainder of the match.

In the fourth set, the Panthers led 11-6, but John Jay fought back and was down 18-14 late. But once again, Purchase regrouped and outscored the visitors 7-6 to close the contest. The final point was an Andrew Schwab (SR/Merrick, NY) kill that sealed it.  

For the match, Carges led the way offensively with 18 kills. Schwab added 11 kills, a team-high three blocks and 20 assists. Damerell posted five aces and also had a strong all-around performance. The senior posted a team-high 23 assists. Carges finished with three aces and a match-high 19 digs, which he shared with John Jay's Francisco Miranda.

In addition for the hosts, Luke Kubisch (SO/Delmar, NY) netted eight kills and two blocks, while Otiniano contributed three aces and 12 digs. Christopher Williams (JR/Valley Stream, NY) totaled 15 digs in the victory. Ethan Huang (FR/Queens, NY), Austin Lynch (SO/Verona, NY) and Griffin Rapp (JR/Rochester, NY) also performed well for Purchase.  

John Jay was led by Krystian Surdel and his 11 kills. Teammate Ryan Willix starred defensively with a match-high four blocks. Steven Alvarado posted a match-high 31 assists.  

Under the direction of first-year head coach Christopher Husmann, Purchase is now 3-0 at home this season. The third-place Panthers hit the road for the Keuka Invitational this weekend.