BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's volleyball team split a pair of matches in the CUNY Athletic Conference Multi-Match, held at the APEX on Saturday. Lehman defeated John Jay College in three sets (25-22, 25-12, 25-22), then fell to York College, 3-0, in the second match (25-14, 25-19, 25-13).

In the first CUNYAC contest of the season, against John Jay, Lehman fell behind early in the first set but would respond sophomore outside hitter Jaleel Lino (Bronx, N.Y./Toledo C.C.) knocked home two consecutive kills to help the Lightning jump out to a 4-3 lead. John Jay then got hot, going on a 14-4 run, making the score 17-10. The Lightning countered by scoring 15 of the last 20 points, capped off by a kill from senior middle blocker Ahmad Abugharbieh (Yonkers, N.Y./Yonkers), to take the first set, 25-22.

The second stanza was a breeze for the Lightning, as junior outside hitter Miguel Gallardo (Bronx, N.Y./Salesian) scored three consecutive service aces to help his team win the set, 25-12.

John Jay had the lead for the majority of the third set, but the Lightning would once again persevere. Abugharbieh's service ace sparked a 13-6 run which concluded the match.

For the match, Gallardo had 15 digs, 13 kills, and three service aces, all team highs. Lino recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 10 digs, while Roberto Perez (Bronx, N.Y./Bronx Leadership) had 30 assists.

In the second match, the Lightning faced a tough York squad. The Cardinals hit .423 en route to sweeping the Lightning, handing Lehman their first loss of the season. Once again, Lino led the Lightning attack with 12 kills, as Perez added 13 set assists.

The Lightning are now 4-1 overall on the season, including 1-1 in CUNYAC play. Lehman will return to action on Wednesday, February 12, at CUNYAC foe Brooklyn College. The match is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.