The men's volleyball team split a pair of decisions on day one of the Vassar Invitational on Friday evening.  The Wildcats dropped a 3-1 (25-23, 21-25, 10-25, 18-25) decision against sixth-ranked New Paltz and followed that up with a 3-2 (25-19, 16-25, 25-23, 23-25, 15-12) victory against Lancaster Bible.

In the setback against New Paltz, Johnson & Wales was led by junior Shawn Kennedy (West Barnstable, Mass.) with 20 kills, five digs and three blocks while sophomore J.J. Bessette (Coventry, R.I.) registered 46 set assists in the setback for the Wildcats.  Bryan Weber paced New Paltz with 16 kills and six digs.

Kennedy once again led the way for JWU against Lancaster Bible, recording a double-double with 11 kills, 14 digs and six blocks while sophomore Matt Jenkins (Damascus, Md.) notched a team-best 14 kills in the win for the Wildcats.  Bessette notched 44 set assists in the victory for JWU.

Johnson & Wales is now 10-14 for the season.  The Wildcats will return to action on Saturday, March 30th when they compete in the second day of the Vassar Invitational against Nazareth at 1:00 p.m.