The Highlanders faced stiff opposition in their opening match of the 2021 season and were taken down by #14 Lancaster Bible College in straight sets (24-26, 8-25, 10-25).

Cairn is entering a bit of a rebuilding season after the graduation of offensive stalwarts Ben Norton and Caleb Myers, as well as the graduation of reigning CSAC Defensive Player of the Year Sam Gabriels. The Highlanders will need to rely on the capable leadership of senior setter Scott Bassill and senior middle blocker Collin Benjamin. Bassill and Benjamin are coming off of their best seasons as Highlanders, as both were named to the CSAC First Team in 2020 and Bassill was crowned CSAC Player of the Year. Though young, the Highlanders are still poised for success in 2021 with the senior leadership of Benjamin and Bassill, as well as the offensive contributions from returning pin hitters Shea Scott and Dave Cassel and newcomer Caleb Horning.

Cairn's first season opponent came with a serious pedigree. LBC had earned their #14 NCAA Division III ranking by winning four straight, including sweeping two games against #13 Kean, and were coming off a dominating performance against CSAC foe Wilson. Additionally, although Cairn holds the all-time record against Lancaster 16-4, the Highlanders have lost four straight against the Chargers, and have not taken a set from them since the 2016 season.

Despite these odds, the Highlanders came out swinging in the first set, and met Lancaster's high-powered offence with poise. The Highlanders and the Chargers traded points throughout the set, and both teams found themselves locked at 24 points apiece. A Kole Hurst kill followed by a Kole Hurst block ended the set in the Chargers' favor, but the Highlanders could walk off the court proud of their performance against a tough opponent in their first set of the season.

Unfortunately, the Highlanders could not reach the same level of play in the second or third sets. The Chargers eventually found their rhythm, and used a combination of well-placed kills, strategic serving, and solid defense to cruise to a second set score of 25-8 and a third set score of 25-10, ending the match and the Highlander's chances of upsetting their ranked opponent.

Cairn hit just .074 in the match, compared to the Charger's high-powered offense hitting at a respectable .230 clip. The Chargers also held the advantage in aces (7-1) and digs (36-15). Cairn was led by outside hitter Caleb Horning with 8 kills. Scott Bassill chipped in 19 assists, and the pair of Dave Cassel and Collin Benjamin had 3 blocks apiece.

The Highlanders face their next opponent, the Mighty Macs of Immaculata University, on their home floor for the first time in 2021 on Thursday, March 4^th. First serve is scheduled for 7 PM.