The SUNY Old Westbury Men’s Volleyball team was off to a rough start this season, dropping their first five games and sitting at 0-5 as of March 3rd. Despite their struggles, standout performances from key players suggest that brighter days may be ahead.

The Panthers began their season with a scrimmage against Nassau Community College, where they fell in straight sets. Hoping to bounce back, they returned home for their next four matches but have yet to secure their first win. Their most competitive game came on February 13th against Pratt Institute, a match that showcased both their resilience and areas for improvement.

From the opening set, the battle against Pratt was intense. Tied at 12-12 early on, both teams traded points in a back-and-forth contest. As the first set reached a crucial 25-25 tie, consecutive attacking errors cost the Panthers the set. Pratt carried that momentum into the second, pulling away late to take it 25-20. The third set followed a similar pattern, with Old Westbury keeping it close but ultimately falling 25-23.

With their backs against the wall, the Panthers responded in the fourth set. Led by freshman Liam Eisel’s four kills, the team went on a dominant 16-6 run to take the set 25-16 and force a decisive fifth set. However, Pratt regrouped and closed out the match with a 15-11 victory, handing Old Westbury another tough loss.

Eisel has been a bright spot for the Panthers, starting in four games and racking up an impressive 49 kills to open the season. Meanwhile, senior Jose Lorenzo Santos continues to prove why he was the 2024 NCAA Division III Statistical Champion, finishing last season with 254 digs and 3.85 digs per set. He’s already off to a strong start with 60 digs in the early games.

Though the season hasn’t started as planned, the Panthers have plenty of time to turn things around. With promising individual performances and lessons learned from close losses, the team will look to improve as the season progresses.