Purchase, NY (April 3, 2018) – The Purchase College men's volleyball team got back in the win column Tuesday night at home, ending a seven-match losing streak in the process.

The Panthers (6-15, 4-5 Skyline Conference) moved closer to a postseason berth in a convincing 3-0 win (25-8, 25-22, 25-20) over St. Joseph's College-Brooklyn (2-15, 2-6).

Purchase rushed out to a 7-2 advantage in the opening set. Standout Luke Kubisch (JR/Delmar, NY) did what he has done all season – score points. The outside hitter used his serve to power a 12-2 advantage following the strong start. Kubisch and the Panthers ran away with the opening set, 25-8.

But the Bears showed some resilience in the second set, despite Purchase starting out ahead 3-0.

It was 6-5 early before SJC-BKLYN tied it at 13-all. It was tied again at 16 and 20, but Andreo Otiniano (SO/Mamaroneck, NY) slammed home a key kill to knot the game at 20-20 after the hosts fell behind momentarily. That point changed the set and helped Purchase close 25-22, scoring five of the last seven points needed to go up, 2-0.

In the third set, the visitors led 4-3 in the opening minutes. The Panthers tied it 6-6 and then led 9-7, but the Bears managed to tie the set again – 11-11.

That's when Purchase scored seven straight for an 18-11 lead. The Panthers would get outscored 9-5 afterward, holding a 23-20 lead en route to closing out the set and the match. SJC-BKLYN had battled, but it wasn't enough.

Purchase started and ended strong in snapping its recent losing streak.

The Panthers currently sit third in the conference standings.

Kubisch paced the hosts with seven kills, two aces and one block. He also added five digs. Setter Christopher Williams (SR/Valley Stream, NY) handed out a match-high 24 assists. Otiniano notched six kills and shared the match lead of eight digs. Christian Colon (FR/Bronx, NY) also performed well in the win. Colon finished with four kills. Libero Masaya Funakoshi (SO/Tarrytown, NY) helped the defensive effort with eight digs, while Thomas Slomka (SO/Orchard Park, NY) netted four kills of his own in the victory. 

SJC-BKLYN's Sean Salomons totaled seven kills to share the match high with Kubisch. Tim Driscoll recorded eight digs in defeat. 

Up next for the Panthers, Purchase hosts Sarah Lawrence College in a Senior Night doubleheader Thursday. The first match is set for 7 p.m. The program will honor seniors Williams and Griffin Rapp (SR/Rochester, NY). Festivities will be held before the start of the second match.