LINCROFT, NJ - The Northampton men's volleyball team slipped to 0-2 on the young season following a, 3-2, (20-25, 13-25, 25-15, 25-22, 13-15) loss against Brookdale Community College in Region 19 action on Saturday afternoon at the Collins Arena.

The Spartans, ranked 10th in the most recent NJCAA national poll, fell behind 2-0 after dropping both the first and second sets to open the match, but rallied back to take the third and fourth sets to tie things up at, 2-2, forcing a fifth and deciding set against the Jersey Blues. Brookdale was also recognized in the weekly NJCAA national poll with Receiving Votes.

"Slow start today and that was tough for us," explained Spartans Head Coach Rachael Aquila, "We went down 2-0 and I felt we did a nice job with how we rallied back and forced the fifth set. We also had to come from behind in the final set as well and just couldn't get the job done today. Tough loss but it is early. We played hard and we are starting to put it together. We will bounce back. We just need to come out stronger from the start."

Freshman Calvin Long (Allentown, PA/William Allen) led the Spartans with 18 kills with 8 digs and 1 service ace while Luke Smith (Breiningsville, PA/Parkland) recorded 16 kills with 7 digs and 3 aces. Fred Patton (Trexlertown, PA/Parkland) had 10 digs and Lucas Johnson (Glendale, AZ/Independence (AZ)) recorded 38 assists with 3 kills and 4 digs in the loss.

Northampton falls to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in Region 19.

Brookdale improves to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the Region.

The Spartans are back on the floor on Monday, March 2nd when they host Middlesex College in a Region 19 match-up at 6pm at the Arthur L. Scott Center.