MADISON, NJ - The Cairn Highlanders Men's Volleyball team headed north for tri-match action at Drew University on Saturday, dropping both games, 3-0 to Drew University and 3-1 to #7 St. John Fisher.

GAME ONE

Freshman outside hitter Sam Poirier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) and senior opposite hitter Joe Porier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) each recorded 10 kills in the loss, the latter attacking at a .333 rate, both also scooping up 3 digs apiece. Sophomore setter Josh Adler (Levittown, PA / Neshaminy High School) assisted on 29 kills. 

The Rangers of Drew University (5-7) would get up 13-6 in the first set, and never look back as they kept adding on to their lead, holding the Highlanders to 16 points in the frame. I set two, Drew opened on a 8-1 run, halted by a kill from each of the Poirier brothers, cutting the lead in half. As the Rangers looks to climb back up, Joe Poirier and junior middle hitter Tommy Ragonese (Buffalo, NY / Royalton-Hartland High School) kept the attack temporarily at bay, getting closer and trailing only 12-9. Despite a late try for Cairn, Drew pushed ahead again and took set two by the same score, 25-16. The Highlander kept things close in set three, taking a 7-6 lead early and keep up with the Rangers down the stretch. Drew took set three, and the game, by a closer margin, 25-21. 

GAME TWO

In game two at 1 p.m., Sam Poirier would set a new career-high in points with 16 on 11 kills and a game-high four aces. The elder Poirier added 9 kills with a solo block and block assist, totaling 10.5 points. Graduate middle hitter Jake Tolar (Fort Mill, SC / Nation Ford) was also in double figures for points (10.0) with 6 kills and 4 block assists. Adler had 31 more assists in game two.

#7 St. John Fisher (12-1) grabbed a lead early but the Highlanders made a move to tie the set 5-5 via a Tolar ace. The Cardinals dropped in two aces in response, taking a 10-7 lead. Cairn made it a one-point game before St. John Fisher pulled away and took the set 25-16. The Highlanders took a few leads early in set two, forcing the Cardinals to respond. St. John Fisher tied the set at 15-15 before running away with the lead. A few mistakes by the Cardials with a pair of kills from Joe and Sam Poirier kept Cairn in the fight, falling in a much closer 25-21 set two. The Highlanders forced a fourth set behind Sam Poirier's four aces in set three along with two kills by Tolar, taking set three 25-22. Set four started off in favor of St. John Fisher who had a slim lead though the early part. The Cardinals went running on seven straight points to hold an 18-10 lead before taking game two in set #4, 25-15.

Cairn Men's Volleyball heads to Valley Forge on Monday at 7 p.m. to face the Patriots in non-conference action which will be a preview of the matchup on March 20.