DALLAS, Pa. — With a three-set loss at Misericordia, Eastern University Men's Volleyball saw an early chance to lock up a spot in the MAC Tourrnament slip away, but they still control their own fate for the post-season with two matches to play. After a rough opening set, the Eagles played right with the host Cougars in the final two sets but were unable to erase close deficits in either. 

The Eagles 13-13, 3-3) had only six kills in dropping the first set 25-12. The Cougars (14-12, 3-3) hit .478 and had four aces in cruising to the win. 

The second set, however, was very different. The teams traded leads through the early stages, and neither team held a three-point edge until Misericordia with up 20-17. A Kaodi Wokocha kill with Ronan Landis serving enabled the Eagles to pull within a point at 20-19, but the Eagles were not able to tie the set and fell 25-22. Wokocha had five kills in the frame, and Kadin Kolstad had six digs to lead an Eastern defense that picked up 20.

The Eagles led 19-17 in the third set before the Cougars flipped the script with six of the next seven points. Colby Arvesen stopped the run with a kill for a sideout and served for a point to close the gap to 23-22. The Cougars scored the final two points to take the match. 

Wokocha and Arvesen each finished with seven kills and Symir Byrd had nine digs. 

The loss puts the Eagles behind Misericordia with two matches to play. Eastern needs a win over King's and for Messiah (6-1) to beat Arcadia (3-4)  to lock up a spot in the post season. Should Eastern and Arcadia each finish at 4-4, Eastern would claim the post-season bid as long as there is not another team involved in the tie. 

The Eagles host King's on Saturday at 11:30 am.