Men's Volleyball falls to Thomas More, (RV) Reinhardt in NAIA tri-match

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. --- Carlow University men's volleyball went 0-2 in a tri-match against Thomas More (Ky.) University and Reinhardt (Ga.) University on the road Saturday.

The Celtics (0-10) fell to host Thomas More, 3-0, and were swept by the Eagles (13-2).

Game 1 vs. Thomas More: L, 3-0 (25-9, 25-19, 25-15)

A 9 a.m. start saw the Celtics a little off the mark against the Saints (8-4), where errors proved to be the deciding factor in the game.

Colin Wiegand led Carlow with eight kills off the bench, while Russ Cyprowski added seven in the effort.

The Saints started strong with a 25-9 win in the first set.

The Celtics regrouped in the second set, leading through the majority of the first half of the game.

With Carlow ahead, 12-10, the Saints strung together five points – including back-to-back aces – to gain a 15-12 advantage.

Both teams hit several service errors, but the Saints remained in the lead.

Three kills in a row pushed Thomas More to 22-16, but two errors in a row allowed Carlow to stay in the game.

A kill and two Carlow errors, however, ended the set in favor of the Saints, 25-19.

Thomas More went ahead 13-3 en route to a 25-15 third set victory.

Will Strasser led all players with nine kills as the Saints hit .351 in the game with eight aces, seven blocks and 11 errors.

Game 2 vs. Reinhardt: L, 3-0 (25-11, 25-16, 25-11)

The Eagles, who are "receiving votes" in the most recent NAIA Coaches' Top-15 Poll, swept the Celtics in the second match of the day at 11 a.m.

Wiegand put in a repeat performance with eight kills and eight digs for the Celtics, while Logan Alexander tallied both of Carlow's aces in the match.

The Eagles hit .456 with 37 kills.

Six kills and two Carlow errors put the Eagles ahead, 10-3, in the first set. Reinhardt ended the set on a 7-0 run to win, 25-11.

The Eagles jumped out to a 7-1 advantage to start the second set.

A kill from Chris Lewis got Carlow the side-out, allowing Alexander to score back-to-back aces. A subsequent kill by Cyprowski cut Reinhardt's lead to five.

Reinhardt kept Carlow at an arm's length until another 5-0 run ended the game in favor of the Eagles.

Reinhardt led, 12-7, in the third set before a 6-0 run pushed its advantage to 18-7.

The Eagles won the third set, 25-11.

Rayner Sarmiento led the Eagles with eight kills, three solo blocks and recorded eight of Reinhardt's 14 aces on the day.

The Celtics travel to Mount St. Joseph (Ohio) University March 4 for a 4 p.m. game.