DALLAS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Volleyball dropped a pair of matches in the first league tri-match of the year. The Eagles fell to the host Misericordia University in three incredibly close sets before falling to a nationally-ranked Stevenson University squad in a quick turnaround. Darren Lopez led the Eagles in kills in both matches.

The Eagles (4-4, 0-4 MAC) fell behind 8-3 in the opening set to the Cougars (9-7, 2-2 MAC). Once the eagles recovered their side-out game, they were able to close the gap to 15-13. The teams traded points the rest of the set, but despite hitting an impressive .357 in the set, the Eagles were unable to take the lead. Lopez had eight of his game-high 16 kills in the opening set.

The second set was as close as a set could be. The Cougars hada  small lead arly, but the Eagles rallied to tie the set at 20-20. From their, the teams traded side-outs until the Eagles earned a point with Cameron Parsons at teh service line to go up 28-27. The host Cougars earned a side-out to stave off the set point and then earned two points on serve with blocks to claim the second set 30-28. Nicholas Hulbert and Lopez each had five kills int he set. Teh Eagles were successful on 68 percent of their side-out chances in the set.

The third set also went beyond 25 points. The Cougars wound up claiming the match with a 28-26 win in that set. The set was knotted at 22 on a double-block from Noah Westbrook and Lopez. The teams traded side-outs with the Eagles fighting off two match points before the Cougars were able to convert a third for the 3-0 win.

Lopez added ten digs, an ace and two blocks to his 16 kills. Hulbert finished with 10 kills and four digs. Parsons recorded 33 assists and a pair of blocks.

The Eagles fell behind the Stevenson Mustangs early and were unable to match the speed and size of the defending conference champions. Lopez had ten kills in the match.

Coach Syracuse Says:
"I was pleased with the way we fought back in the first set. We showed some real grit and heart coming back into that one. The second and third sets could have gone either way. We made some small mistakes, and in a tight game, those can be the difference. We went with some line-up changes against Stevenson to get Christian is as the libero. It will be good to see how having some flexibility will help us as we go forward."

Up Next:
The Eagles have now played the teams picked first through third and fifth in the MAC Preseason poll. Next week, the Eagles will see the teams that were picked sixth and seventh in two more road matches. The Eagles are at Widener on Wednesday and then back North of the tunnel at Wilkes on Thursday.