DALLAS, Pa. – The Neumann University men's volleyball team fell in a pair of matches at the 2018 Cougar Kickoff Classic on Friday evening. The Knights dropped the first match to host Misericordia 3-0 (25-18, 25-17, 25-18). Neumann then fell to Hiram 3-0 (25-10, 25-16, 30-28).
 
Roddy Rountree had three blocks in the first match. Brendan Kern tallied three block assists. The Knights stayed within a point or two to start the match. However, with the score 11-10, the Cougars rattled off six straight points to take a 17-11 lead. Neumann also stayed close in the second set and was tied at 14 before Misericordia took control.
 
In the second match, Andrew Kelly tallied 17 digs. After getting behind in the first two sets, the Knights started to battle in set three and remained within a few points during the entire set. In fact, Neumann took Hiram over the normal 25 points before eventually falling 30-28.
 
Neumann (0-3) will face tough Penn State Altoona and College of St. Elizabeth in the second day of the kickoff classic tomorrow morning.