LANCASTER, PA – The Cairn University Men's Volleyball team took on the No. 1 Lancaster Bible College Chargers in the inaugural United East Men's Volleyball Championship, closing their season as they were swept 3-0 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Lancaster Bible (15-13 / 6-0 UNITED EAST) ran ahead 8-3 and then 16-8. Freshman outside hitter Sam Poirier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) recorded four kills to get Cairn (7-14 / 5-1 UNITED EAST) back in the game and cut the lead to 20-15. The Chargers went back on the attack and took the first set, 25-18.
 
The Chargers opened set two ahead 20-7 as the Highlanders were held to single digits, Lancaster Bible taking the set, 25-9.
 
LBC went ahead 7-2 to start the third set with Cairn looking to battle back with kills from senior opposite hitter Joe Poirier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) and S. Poirier with the Highlanders down only 10-7. Graduate middle hitter Jake Tolar (Fort Mill, SC / Nation Ford) cut the lead to one with a kill leading to Cairn taking an 18-17 lead with kills by junior middle hitter Tommy Ragonese (Buffalo, NY/ Royalton-Hartland High School) and senior outside hitter Will Nase (Harleysville, PA / Souderton). The Chargers rode on to a 25-22 victory to win the conference championship.
 
S. Poirier made seven kills as Tolar followed with five and three block assists for 7.5 points. J. Poirier and Ragonese each had three kills.
 
The Highlanders close the season 7-14 overall and 5-1 in conference play in Head Coach Shea Scott's first year at the helm.