PURCHASE, N.Y. - The Purchase College men's volleyball team opened Skyline Conference play Friday night, splitting a doubleheader with Ramapo College and St. Joseph's University-Brooklyn.

Game One: Ramapo 3, Purchase 0 (25-20, 25-21, 31-29)

In the first contest of the evening, the Panthers were outpaced by the Roadrunners in straight sets.

Despite that, the hosts kept each frame close throughout, nearly extending the matchup following an epic battle in the third stanza.

Overall, the Blue and Orange hit .216 with 35 kills in the effort. For the guests, they managed totals of .324 and 48, respectively.

Individually, Channing Williams (SO/Neptune, NJ) paced the squad with 20 points (18 kills, two block assists and one solo block).

Tyler Ryan (JR/Port Reading, NJ) finished with 10 digs, while Ayden Mercado (FY/Brooklyn, NY) totaled 30 assists in the loss. 

Game Two: Purchase 3, St. Joseph's 0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-18)

Purchase rebounded with a great contest in the second game, as they cruised past the Bears in straight sets.

For the Panthers, their hitting improved in each set as they finished the night with 44 kills on a .319 hitting percentage.

Williams once again led the offensive charge, this time totaling 18 points (16 kills, two block assists and an ace) on .367 hitting.

Tony Acosta (FY/Bronx, NY) recorded a game-high 11 digs, while Mercado compiled 37 assists for his sixth-straight game of 30 or more assists.

With the splitting of the games, Purchase moved to 8-7 overall and 1-1 in Skyline Conference action.

Up next for the Panthers is a quick turnaround as they are on the road tomorrow (3/1) for a non-conference tri-match in New Jersey against Stevenson University and Rutgers-Newark.