BROOKLYN, N.Y. — The Pratt Institute men's volleyball team secured its first victory of the season on Tuesday night, powering past York College in a competitive four-set match, 3-1 (25-19, 25-16, 23-25, 25-14), at the Activity Resource Center.
Pratt (1-2) unleashed a potent and balanced offensive attack to get into the win column, combining for 52 kills – the most in a single-match since the 2016 season.
Senior Max Wang (Shenzhen, China) had a stellar all-around performance to lead the Cannoneers, matching his career-high with a match-best 16 kills, four service aces, and eight digs.
The offense featured contributions from across the lineup. Griffin Benkovszky (Ashland, Va.) nearly posted a double-double with nine kills and 10 digs. Micah-Jude Upshaw (Baltimore, Md.) slammed eight kills and matched Wang with four aces. Nathan Kim (Irvine, Calif.) directed the offense with 34 assists while adding seven kills on a .308 hitting clip.
First-year Arturo Mata (Chicago, Ill.) chipped in seven kills and nine digs, and Raymond Liang (Queens, N.Y.) anchored the back row with a team-high 11 digs. Senior Morvens Regis (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added five kills
The opening set was a hard-fought affair that featured 11 ties and three lead changes. With the score knotted as late as 18-18, Pratt seized control by closing the frame on a 7-1 run. After a convincing 25-16 win in the second set where they never trailed, the Cannoneers found themselves in another point-for-point battle in the third, a frame that saw an incredible 14 ties and five lead changes. Pratt crept out to a slim 23-22 lead, but the Cardinals scored the final three points to extend the match.
The Cannoneers left no hope of a Cardinal comeback in the fourth set. They jumped out to an 8-3 lead on a 5-0 run served by Mata and never looked back, cruising to a 25-14 victory that Wang sealed with a final kill.
York was led by eight kills from Brian Kim. Alexis Ramirez anchored their defense with a match-high 15 digs to go along with five kills.
The Cannoneers hit the road for their first road test of the season, traveling to Manhattanville University on Thursday, Feb. 5. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
