NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Neumann University men's volleyball team opened its 2020 season splitting a tri-match at the City College of New York on Saturday afternoon. The Knights dropped the first match to host CCNY 3-1 and then defeated Colby Sawyer 3-1.
 
In the first match, the teams battled back and forth and were tied late at 21 before CCNY rattled off four straight points for the 25-21 win. The Knights then tied the match at one with a 25-18 second set win as Nick Shortlidge had two straight service aces to seal the set. The Beavers took sets three and four, 25-21 and 25-15, for the match win.
 
Conner Kolek led the Knights with nine kills and 12 digs. Thomas McConnell added eight kills and four service aces. Jules Maiorano handed out 25 assists and notched 10 digs. Ryan Bollinger tallied 12 digs.
 
In the second match of the day, the Knights scored the first five points and eight of the first nine to come away with the 25-16 first set win. The Chargers scored the first five points of the second set. Neumann answered with the next seven to take the lead. The teams went back and forth, but the Knights came away with the 27-25 second set win on a kill by Maiorano. Neumann opened the third set by scoring six of the first seven points. Colby Sawyer battled back and took the third set 26-24. The Knights battled back and took the match with a 25-22 fourth set win.
 
Kolek tallied 20 kills in the win and hit .354. McConnell added 17 kills and Bollinger tallied 10. Maiorano dished out 45 assists and 16 digs. Kolek and Shortlidge each notched 15 digs and Bollinger added 13.  
 
Neumann (1-1) will head to Wilkes on Tuesday evening for more non-conference action beginning at 7:00 PM.