Saint Davids, PA - Cairn comes up short in close 3 set loss to Eastern.

The Highlanders started set 1 strong against the Eagles, jumping out to a quick 4-1 lead behind 2 aces and an assist by senior setter Josh Adler (Levittown, PA / Neshaminy High School). After the strong start by Cairn (0-7 / 0-0 UNITED EAST) the Eagles went on an 11-3 run taking a 12-7 lead. Freshman middle hitter Rueben Bennett Leonard (Ankara, Turkey / Oasis International School) recorded 2 consecutive service aces in an attempt to bring Cairn back into the set but Eastern (2-3 /0-0 MIDDLE ATLANTIC) maintained their lead and claimed the first set 25-17. 

The second set saw Eastern claim an early lead that they never gave up. Freshman opposite Nehemiah Clark (Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea Ukarumpa International School) picked up 4 kills during the second set which was enough to keep the Highlanders close, but they dropped the second set to Eastern 25-20.

The third set was a close affair, seeing the Highlanders and Eagles going back and forth throughout the set. A block by Adler and junior outside hitter Jesse Stuart (Chattanooga, TN / Chiang Rai International Christian School) brought Cairn within 2 at 24-22 but Eastern ended the match there by claiming the 3rd set. 

Cairn will return to action Thursday January 29th by going on the road to play at Elizabethtown.