WILKES-BARRE, Penn. - The Purchase College men's volleyball team kicked off its 2023 season Saturday afternoon, dropping a pair of contests to Lehman College and Wilkes University.

Game One: Lehman 3, Purchase 0 - 25-13, 25-19, 25-22

To begin, the Lightning of Lehman (1-1) cruised in the first set, scoring the first six points and 13 of 15 points en route to victory. In set two, Purchase held tough early before being edged out. 

The final frame was the closest the Panthers got in the contest, as they led by as many as four points in the set. They remained tight with Lehman down the stretch too, leading 20-18 and tied at 22-all.

In the end though, three-straight kills by the Lightning sunk Purchase, handing the Blue and Orange an opening-game defeat.

Overall, the Panthers hit .040% across the three sets and totaled 22 kills. 

Individually, Chris Posillico (SR/Saltaire, NY) led the squad with 7.5 points (six kills, one ace, one block assist) and nine digs. 

Luca Spadinger (FR/Loudonville, NY) finished with four kills and a team-high 11 digs in his first collegiate game, while Idris Idris (SR/Bronx, NY) tallied 15 assists and nine digs.

Game Two: Wilkes 3, Purchase 0 - 25-16, 25-12, 25-20

Following the loss to Lehman, Purchase's luck failed to turn around against the hosting Colonials of Wilkes (3-0). 

The Panthers trailed all throughout the first and second sets, before they rebounded in the third frame to grab leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2.

Despite these early advantages, Wilkes pushed ahead by as many as 10 points, only to see that margin shrink to two points, 18-16, following an eight-point run by the Panthers.

However, the hosts were able to hold off Purchase late to secure the set and match. 

Overall, the hitting struggles continued for the Orange and Blue, as they totaled a hitting percentage of -.057 and 14 kills.

Individually, Marcus Garguilo (SO/Port Washington, NY) finished with a team-high 11 points (seven kills, one ace, three blocks solo).

Up next for the Panthers is the home opener, as the squad welcomes Brooklyn College on January 25th at 7 p.m. You can follow along right here.