HACKETTSTOWN, NJ- The Highlanders battled it out in a tri-match against both Centenary University and Neumann University, defeating the Cyclones but dropping the second match against the Knights. 

Against the Cyclones, the Highlanders started out slow, losing the first set by a score of 22-25. But, Coach Whitney Seidel and the Highlanders adjusted and rebounded in a major way over the next two sets, winning 25-15 in the second and 25-10 in the third. The fourth set was an absolute battle as Centenary sought to stretch the match and Cairn was fighting for the win. The Cyclones took the early lead, 13-8, after a run of 4 points, but the Highlanders bounced back to score 6 straight points and take the lead 14-13. Both teams threw a couple blows over the next stretch, but Cairn would finish it with a knockout punch of two straight kills from Lyntia Gwess and a Bri Norton service ace. 

Gwess had 15 kills and 9 aces, Haley Sheehan tallied 9 kills, and Norton led the team with 18 digs.

The Highlanders struggled a bit in the second match against perennial CSAC powerhouse Neumann University. Stuffed by the defense of the CSAC's 2nd ranked team, the Highlanders fell in straight sets, losing by scores of 25-14, 25-8, and 25-8. Gwess had an impressive 13 digs, while Brooke Seidel tallied 1 block.

Cairn will be back in action this Saturday as they host a tri-match with Medgar Evers College and John Jay College. The events will start at 11:00 PM when the Highlanders take on Medgar Evers.