LANGHORNE, PA – Cairn Men's Volleyball took on the Neumann University Knights in non-conference play on Friday night, taking one set as Neumann came out victorious, 3-1.
 
Off the serve, Neumann (6-5 / UNITED EAST) established a lead (9-6) before sophomore outside hitter Sam Poirier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) began a Highlander run with three kills of his own, taking the lead, 13-10. The Knights would respond right back with an 8-2 run towards the end of the set as late kills and a block would win the set for Neumann, 25-20.
 
The second set turned a page for Cairn (0-5 / 0-1 UNITED EAST) as the Highlanders got started on a 9-1 run with three kills from Poirier and two by junior middle hitter Caleb Cabrera (Wallington, NJ / Wallington). The Highlanders held a strong advantage throughout the frame and won the set 25-13.
 
The Knights returned the favor in the third, outscoring Cairn 5-2 early and running ahead 10-5. A kill by junior middle David Larbi (Bensalem, PA / Bensalem) got things back moving in the right direction as Cabrera, sophomore outside hitter Jesse Stuart (Chattanooga, TN / Chiang Rai International Christian School), and graduate outside hitter Noah Ruiz Esparza (Levittown, PA / Berean Academy) teamed up with kills to tie the score. As the set became a point-for-point showdown, Neumann doubled up to hold the advantage and took the match lead back by winning the set 25-21.
 
Poirier and Ruiz Esparza combined for five kills to open the fourth set, keeping the Highlanders in the game during the slow start. Two aces helped put Neumann back in control ahead of a run by Cairn to tie things up at 12-all. The Knights went running ahead again with Cairn searching for an answer with the game on the line and finding it as Ruiz Esparza took the serve, firing off an ace while Poirier and Stuart each added a kill cutting the lead to just one point. From there, it would be all Neumann to the finish, winning the match in four sets, 25-21.
 
Poirier had another big night, tallying an even 20 kills, tying a career-high, on .326% hitting. Larbi and Cabrera each added six kills and a block assist. Junior setter Josh Adler (Levittown, PA / Neshaminy) finished with 34 assists and a solo block.
 
The Highlanders are back in action on Saturday, competing in a tri-match hosted by Drew University where they will play John Jay at 1 p.m. followed by Drew at 3 p.m.