LANGHORNE, PA – The Cairn University Men's Volleyball team embarked on the 2024 season on Thursday night in their first year under the leadership of former Highlander,
Shea Scott. After an opening night battle, the Highlanders were swept by the Cougars from Misericordia in three sets.
Cairn (0-1) kicked off the scoring with a kill by freshman outside hitter
Sam Poirier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu), eventually taking a 5-4 lead over Misericordia (3-0). The Cougars fought back to take a 15-10 lead as they began a run. Poirier would tally two more kills as Misericordia took set one, 25-14.
Set two saw Cairn go down 9-4 early into play before rallying back behind two kills from Poirier, one by graduate middle hitter
Jake Tolar (Fort Mill, SC / Nation Ford High School), and an ace from sophomore setter
Josh Adler (Levittown, PA / Neshaminy) to tie things up at 11-11. The Cougars pushed ahead 20-14 before Poirier and Tolar teamed up for three kills to get back within two points, 22-20. Misericordia would capitalize on a block to take set 3, 25-20.
The Highlanders took the lead in the third set, 4-3, before trading punches back-and-forth with the Cougars, until Misericordia pulled away, 14-10. Senior outside hitter
Noah Ruiz Esparza (Levittown, PA / Berean Academy) spiked back-to-back kills keeping Cairn within striking distance. Poirier would get a pair of points back as the set came down to the wire with Misericordia ahead 20-18. The Cougars would sub into the server spot to give Cairn a different look late and prove to be effective as they put up four in a row to take the match, 25-19 in three sets.
Poirier recorded a game-high 12 points with 10 kills in his collegiate debut, attacking at .364%. Senior opposite hitter Joe Porier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) was next with 5.5 points with 5 kills. Tolar finished with a game-high 3 block assists while Adler had 19 assists and an ace.
The Highlanders are back in action on Saturday as they head to Ramapo College in North Jersey for a 7 p.m. matchup with the Roadrunners.
