WILKES-BARRE, Pa.• Nine days after the two teams played in St. Davids, Eastern University Men's Volleyball dropped a four set decision in Wilkes Barre to the Wilkes University Colonels. After winning the final three points of the opening set, the Eagles were unable to slow the host Colonels in the final three sets. Symir Byrd posted a team-high 11 kills in the loss.

The Eagles (5-6) were one of only two teams to neat the Colonels (10-2) this year, and they found enough offense to pull past Wilkes in the opening set. Wilkes led 23-22 before Josiah Cash earned a kill to tie the opening set. Rodney Quarles put the Eagles up 24-23 with his second kill of the match, and then he combined with Cash on a block to give the Eagles a first-set win.

The Eagles hit an impressive .333 in the second set, but the Colonels more than answered that offensive outburst by hitting .412 in winning the second set 25-20. Byrd had four kills on six swings in the second, but Paul Binner converted all five of his attacks and Jackson Shafer put away four kills.

The Eagles fell behind early in the pivotal third set and spent the frame chasing the game. Wilkes led 19-17 and then scored six of the last seven points in the set to win 25-18.

Down 2-1, the Eagles were not able to provide much resistance in falling 25-18 in the final set. The Eagles had eight kills and eight hitting errors in dropping the fourth set 25-18.

Cash finished with nine kills and four blocks, and Rodney Quarles had eight kills and four blocks. Chris Miller had 21 assists.

Eastern will start into MAC Commonwealth competition when they host Messiah University next Tuesday. The Falcons (5-4) reached the MAC Championship game and the NCAA National Semifinals last season.