Purchase, NY (Feb. 14, 2018) – The College of Staten Island slipped past the Panthers Wednesday night at Purchase, taking the Valentine's matchup, 3-0 (25-12, 25-23, 25-17).

Despite the sweep, the Panthers showed plenty of heart, especially in the second and third sets, where the Dolphins needed late rallies to put away the hosts.

CSI looked its strongest in the first set. The visitors led 6-4 in the early going and 10-5 before opening up a 23-11 advantage on their way to leading 1-0 in the match.

The second set was a different story.

It was 2-1 CSI before Purchase seized a 6-4 lead. The Dolphins took the lead back and went up 8-7, and then 12-9.

That's when Purchase's Luke Kubisch (JR/Delmar, NY) cut the deficit to 12-10 on a kill.

CSI (1-3) regrouped once more and held a 15-13 advantage.

But Thomas Slomka (SO/Orchard Park, NY) put the Panthers right back in the contest with his serve. He tied the match at 16-16.

CSI also showcased its serve. Behind reserve Ronald Tisbe, the Dolphins took a 21-16 lead, prompting a timeout.

The Panthers rallied once more and tied the set at 23-all, but the Dolphins clipped Purchase with the final two points to seal a 2-0 lead.

Purchase (0-4) showed resilience once more in the third set. The hosts trailed 3-1 and shortly later 7-1, but after CSI took a 9-2 lead, the Panthers roared back and cut the deficit to five at 14-9.

A Kubisch kill brought Purchase within four (15-11).

And a long volley between the two clubs that culminated in a block for Kubisch and Christian Colon (FR/Bronx, NY) helped the Panthers keep pace at 20-13.

But CSI was too strong. They led 23-17 when Purchase's Griffin Rapp (SR/Rochester, NY) smashed a kill to make it 24-17. The Dolphins finished off the match with the final point, overcoming Purchase's feisty play.    

Kubisch paced Purchase with nine kills and two aces. Setter Andreo Otiniano (SO/Mamaroneck, NY) added five kills.

Colon, Kubisch and Otiniano recorded two blocks apiece, while Otiniano handed out a team-high 16 assists in defeat. Libero Christopher Williams (SR/Valley Stream, NY) spearheaded the defensive effort with a match-high 22 digs.

CSI was led by Christian Dumadag and his 10 kills and four aces. Teammates Tairou Diaman and Herman Liu added two blocks apiece. Adil El Haddad totaled a match-high 30 assists. Tisbe netted 12 digs in the victory.

The Panthers will look to get back on track this Saturday at home. They welcome Medgar Evers to Purchase for a noon start.