SPRINGFIELD, MA. -The Hunter College men's volleyball team suffered a 3-0 loss (25-18, 25-19, 25-18) on the road against second-ranked Springfield College but then defeated the Newbury Black Knights, 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-19) on Saturday evening in Blake Arena.

The Pride improves to 11-4 with the victory, while Hunter drops to 4-7.

Christopher Newcomb registered a match-high 13 kills and added six digs. Stanley Martinez registered 24 assists and picked up a match-high eight digs. Jerin Kallickal added five kills while John Gemegah notched three blocks to guide the Hawks.

Hunter jumped out to a 9-4 lead to start the opening set before pushing ahead to take a 15-11 advantage. Springfield retailiated in a big way however, going on an 11-1 run to capture a 22-16 lead. The Pride limited the Hawks to just two more points as it scored the final three to take the set, 25-18.

In the second, a huge triple block from Martinez, Kallickal, and Braien Otsla evened things at eight apiece. The Pride once again used a big run, firing on all cylinders for an 8-2 scoring spree, as it took control of the game with a 16-10 lead. A Newcomb kill at 24-19 would get the Hawks within five, but a service error on the ensuing point gave Springfield a two-set lead.

Despite registering 11 kills on .368 attacking, the Hawks couldn't keep pace with Springfield in the third and final set, as the Pride outhit the Hawks, .474 in the third to take today's match.

Against Newbury, Newcomb and Jonathan Park each led the squad with eight kills a piece as the Hawks coasted to a 3-0 victory. Hunter took the Black Kinghts down 25-16 in the first set before Newbury closed the gap in the second but the Hawks still managed the 25-22 victory. Hunter took the match after claiming a 25-19 win in the third and final set which saw the Hawks lead with 10 kills.

Hunter returns to action on Tuesday, February 28 when they play host to rival Baruch College at 6pm.