NEW YORK – The Drew University men's volleyball team hit over .300 for the second time in three matches this season and defeated John Jay College 3-0 Wednesday evening.
 
The Rangers (2-1) won by scores of 26-24, 25-22, 25-16.
 
Junior Ephraim Smith threw down 10 kills and made just one error for a .529 hitting night for Drew, which hit .324 on the evening. Junior Jacob Sledz added six kills, eight digs, and three aces while classmate Huriel Perez distributed 18 assists. Sophomore Jason Barbosa contributed with four blocks.
 
Logan Ramos posted nine kills for the Bloodhounds, who were playing their season opener.
 
The Rangers fell behind 4-0 in the opening set, but rallied to tie it at 9-9. Drew went in front and led for most of the way down the stretch, and a kill from Smith put the Rangers up 24-22. After John Jay answered with the next points, Drew scored the last two points on a Bloodhound service error and a set-clinching solo block from Barbosa.
 
The hosts again jumped to an early lead in the second set, leading 6-2, but the Rangers responded with a 6-2 run of their own to pull even. A late 5-1 run put Drew up 23-18, and the Rangers held off a late 3-0 surge to go up two sets to none.
 
Back-to-back aces from Sledz gave Drew a 3-0 lead in the final set, but John Jay pulled even at 10-apiece. However, that's when the Rangers put the set and the match away with a 10-2 run.
 
The Rangers continue their season this weekend, when they play three times at the Elmira Invitational, starting with a match versus Elmira on Friday at 5 p.m.