ST. DAVIDS, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Volleyball opened the season with a pair of four-set losses to an Arcadia team already playing its fifth and sixth matches of the year. With the visiting Knights (4-2) featuring many veteran players from teams that have been in and out of the National rankings, the Eagles knew they would face a tough test. Despite giving up inches and experience at nearly every spot on the floor, the Eagles stretched Arcadia to four sets in both matches.

Foster Lobb led the Eagles in kills in both matches and finished the day with 27 total terminations.
With neither Darren Lopez or Justin Flor, the two players who set for Eastern last year, available for the matches, Coach Syracuse turned to Jeremiah Pha to run the offense. The super-quick defensive specialist played all six spots and recorded 57 assists in his setting debut. At 5'6, Pha still managed to be a presence at the net and finished with a key block in the opening match.

The Knights won both opening sets and the Eagles rallied to claim the second frame in both. After dropping the first in the opener by a 25-19 margin, the Eagles scored five of the last six points in the second set to erase a 21-20 deficit and win 25-22. First year outside hitter Lucas Adam picked up the final kill to lift the Eagles. The two sides were tied at 22-22 in the third set before Arcadia reeled off the final three to claim the critical third. The Knights hit .318 and the Eagles struggled against the big Arcadia block in the fourth to fall 25-15. Foster Lobb led the Eagles in the first match with 11 kills. Quinn Bailey had 16 kills to lead the Knights.

The second match played out a little like the first, but with Arcadia playing 15 players in the opener and the Eagles playing eight, fatigue did come into play. Lobb again led the way for Eastern with 16 kills. No other Eastern player was able to beat the Arcadia defensive structure for more than four kills. Trey Miller led Eastern with 13 digs. The Eagles again claimed the second set, which was tied at 20 before Eastern scored five of the last eight points. Gabe Perez and Samuel Christie each delivered critical kills in the run.

Arcadia's strong service game and efficient offense took over in the final two sets to finish.

 "We make some last-minute lineup adjustments," Syracuse said, "We knew Jeremiah would be setting today, but we had to use Trey Miller in the outside hitter position and put Bruno Vargas in the libero spot. They both performed admirably against a big line-up. Bruno was really good in serve receive in the first match, and Trey earned five kills and picked up seven digs. Jeremiah, Ben Sierer, and Lucas all had a trial by fire in their first college matches. I was proud of the way they competed. Foster continues to impress with his composure and ability to make shots. He was the sweater-vest player of the day." 

The Eagles are at Widener at 7:30 on Wednesday.