ASTON, Pa. – The Neumann University men's volleyball team opened its home schedule with a tri-match on Saturday. The Knights fell to Eastern University 3-0 and the College of St. Elizabeth 3-2.
 
In the first match of the day, Neumann fell to Eastern 3-0. Set scores were 25-22, 25-19 and 26-24. Ryan Bollinger had nine kills and 11 digs to lead the Knights. Jules Maiorano handed out 23 assists.
 
The first set went back and forth and was tied late at 18. The Eagles scored three straight points. The teams then traded two points and went one-for-one before Eastern won 25-22.
 
In set two, the teams again remained close and were tied at 18 late, however this time the Eagles scored seven of the last eight points for the 25-19 win. Set three was no different. The Knights made it to set point, 24-23, but could not force a fourth set as Eastern scored three straight points for the 26-24 win.
 
Against St. Elizabeth, the teams battled to five set before the Eagles came away with the 3-2 win. Thomas McConnell tallied 15 kills and had a .367 hitting percentage. Maiorano dished out 33 assists. Bollinger notched 11 digs while Maiorano and Conner Kolek each added 10.
 
The Eagles won the first set 25-11. In set two, St. Elizabeth scored the first three points before Neumann came back to tally the next six, including two service aces by Kolek. With the score tied at 13, the Knights rattled off five points and nine of the next 10 for a 22-14 advantage. A kill by Bollinger gave Neumann the 25-19 second set win.
 
The Knights scored the first six points of the third set and jumped out to a 9-1 lead. Neumann went on to win set three 25-20. Tied at 18 in the fourth set, the Eagles won 25-20 to force a fifth set. St. Elizabeth was able to jump out to an 8-6 edge as the teams switched sides. The Eagles were able to hold off the Knights 15-9 for the 3-2 match win.
 
Neumann (1-4) heads to Rosemont on Tuesday evening for non-conference action beginning at 7:00 PM.