1/19/2006 - (New York, NY) – Senior Russell Butts (Long Beach, NY/Long Beach HS) registered team-highs in both kills (6) and blocks (8), and sophomore Arnold Ross (Wilton, ME/Mount Blue HS) and T.J. Pufahl (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage HS) combined for 10 total kills, but the Mount Saint Vincent Men’s Volleyball team opened the 2006 season with a 3-0 loss to Hunter College on Thursday night during a match played at Hunter.

Hunter (1-0) swept the match after rallying for a 30-27 win in the first game before cruising during the final two games, 30-18 and 30-20. The difference during the match was defense as Hunter registered 36 digs compared - to Mount Saint Vincent's eight digs - and the extra attacks wore down the Mount as the match moved along. Hunter also had a tremendous night serving as the Hawks combined for seven service aces while not committing a single service error.

While the loss put a damper on the opening night of the season for Mount Saint Vincent, they did receive one encouraging sign as their play at the net was outstanding. The Dolphins registered 13.5 total team blocks compared to Hunter's 12.5. Butts had a huge night at the net with his eight blocks, and Pufahl and Reinhardt combined for six more.

Mount Saint Vincent returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 25 when they travel to Polytechnic for a 7:00 p.m. match.