Dallas, Pa- The Highlanders head on the road to face Hood College in a Tri Match hosted by Misericordia, walking away with a 3-1 loss.

The first set was a battle for the ages as both teams matched each other stride for stride. Hood (2-18, 0-7 MAC) got the early 3-0 start but Cairn (9-21, 4-3 United East) quickly caught up by forcing Hood College errors to match them at 5-5. Freshman opposite Nehemiah Clark (Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea / Ukarumpa International School) took control after a kill to serve 3 consecutive serves, giving Cairn a 10-6 lead. The even matchup continued as Cairn and Hood seemed in perfect unison exchanging every other point, until Cairn gained the 22-18 advantage thanks to kills from junior outside hitter Sam Poirier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) and Clark. Clark teamed up with freshman opposite Justin Panaia to close out the set, 25-22.

Cairn's momentum would not continue into the second set, as Hood got an early 5-1, pushing it farther to 9-4. Clark, Poirier, and freshman middle hitter Reuben Bennett Leonard (Ankara, Turkey Oasis International School) would give Cairn a lifeline but would snap it by getting 2 points for every point Cairn scored. Poirier kept Cairn's hopes alive to get the kill to bring it within 3, but his efforts weren't enough as Hood pulled out on top, 25-17.

Cairn put the last set behind them, getting a quick 4-0 in the 3rd with Panaia and Poirier each getting a kill as well as senior setter Josh Adler (Levittown, PA Neshaminy High School) nailing an ace. Hood looked to level the field, but kills from Panaia, Clark and Leonard kept the Highlanders at a safe distance. Until Hood found the missing piece, going on a run to gain the 11-9 lead. Cairn didn't let up though, excellent service from freshman setter Micah Lee Taylor (Atco, NJ / Homeschool), combined with kills from Panaia and Adler, gave the Highlanders the lead once again. Cairn steadily rose the lead, Hood quickly on their heels until the score was 17-13 in Cairn's favor. Hood took storm to go on the run that would give them the 18-17 lead, closing out the set 26-24.

Hood got the first point of the 4th set, but couldn't establish a solid lead as Cairn took the run to lead 5-4. Both teams not willing to let up, Cairn and Hood exchanged leads by 2 points each. Till Hood stormed farther getting a 3 point lead. Cairn fought back and retook the lead off an ace by Taylor. Pushing forward, Panaia extended their lead two 2, 16-14, but Hood had enough, going on a 5 point fun to reestablish the lead, later closing out the set 25-23 as Cairn couldn't catch back up. Hood wins in 4 sets.

Clark led the Highlanders in kills with 15, with Poirier adding another 14. Adler was the playmaker of the match with 37 assists. Taylor served well, having 3 aces in the match.

Cairn matched up against Misericordia in the third and final match of the Tri-Match, immediately following their first match.