Providence, R.I. - Hunter College men's volleyball opened up the 2018 campaign with a loss to Endicott College and a win over Johnson & Wales University on Friday evening at the Wildcat Center.

Endicott 3, Hunter 0
The Hawks started the day with a 3-0 loss to Endicott in three close sets with scores of 26-24, 25-22 and 25-23. The Purple and Gold were led by Benjamin Cassidy and Qendrim Shala's eight kills each. Cassidy hit .263 in the loss for a team-high hitting percentage as Blake Hogan added seven kills and tied for a team-high 11 digs.

Libero Joseph Muir also recorded 11 digs, while freshman setter Alex Helford paced the offense with 26 assists.

Hunter 3, Johnson & Wales 1
Hunter recovered in the next match, defeating the Wildcats in four sets, featuring scores of 25-22, 21-25, 25-23 and 25-22.

The team recorded a .216 hitting percentage, while holding J&W to a mark of .203. Matthew Zukowski and Hogan led Hunter's offensive effort by registering 18 kills each. Hogan committed just five errors for a .394 hitting percentage, while adding 11 digs.

Cassidy had another solid game, recording eight kills and a team-high five blocks in the victory. Muir continued to be a force on defense by notching a match-high 19 digs and Helford earned 59 assists in just his second collegiate match.

The Purple and Gold return to the court tomorrow morning when they take on Rivier College at 9:30 a.m.