Men's Volleyball Drops Tri-Match In Big Apple

New York, NY – The Regis College men's volleyball team was on the road in New York City for an afternoon tri-match versus the Bearcats of Baruch and the Hawks of Hunter. Although they would fight til the very end in both, the Pride would drop both matches, bringing their season tally to 7-7.

For the Pride, it was the familiar name Evan Shank who totaled 87 assists over the 9 total sets, while Brandon Valdes added 25 kills and 16 digs.

Regis vs. Hunter
Regis established control early behind a balanced offensive attack from Brandon Valdes, Jalen Watt, Adam Bonica, and John Nangle. After building a 6-3 lead, the Pride used strong serving and consistent transition play to create separation midway through the frame. A decisive scoring run pushed the advantage to 17-9, and Regis maintained the pressure late, closing the set on consecutive kills from Nangle to take a convincing 25-16 win.

The second set remained tight through the early stages, with kills from Watt and Bonica helping Regis stay even at 8-8 before taking a 13-9 advantage. Hunter responded with a momentum-shifting service run that flipped the score in the middle of the set, capitalizing on blocks and transition opportunities to move ahead. The Pride attempted to close the gap late, but Hunter maintained control down the stretch to even the match at one set apiece.

Hunter carried its momentum into the third, breaking a 6-6 tie with an extended scoring run fueled by strong blocking and defensive pressure. Regis received offensive contributions from Bonica and Valdes to keep within striking distance, but Hunter's efficiency in transition allowed the Hawks to extend their lead to 19-10. The Pride battled late, trimming the deficit before Hunter secured the set to take a 2-1 match lead.

Facing elimination, Regis fought throughout the fourth set, highlighted by a service ace from Nangle and timely kills from Bonica and Valdes that helped cut the deficit to 23-21 late. Despite the push, Hunter held steady offensively and closed out the final points to secure the 25-21 set victory and the 3-1 match win.

Regis vs. Baruch
In a tight opening set, both teams traded blows early before Baruch eked ahead in the late stages, using timely kills and disciplined play to edge Regis 25-23 and gain first-set momentum.

Regis responded in Set 2 with improved offense and connection, pushing through a late surge behind strong attacking to even the match at one set apiece with a 25-23 victory.

Baruch reclaimed control in the third stanza, using balanced scoring and decisive swings to build a lead and close the set 25-21, putting Regis on the defensive heading into the second half.

Facing adversity, Regis answered with a spirited performance in Set 4, rallying behind consistent hitting and clutch plays to knot the match again at two sets apiece with a 25-21 win.

In a back-and-forth deciding set, both squads battled for each point, but Baruch pulled ahead in the closing stretch to secure the 15-12 win in Set 5 and the 3-2 match victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Evan Shank's 53 assists versus Baruch ties the program record for most in a game.
• Brandon Valdes' 15 kills are the most he's had in a game this season.

Up Next

The Pride wrap-up their weekend away taking on St. Joseph's Brooklyn in a Sunday matinee at 12pm.