NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier men's volleyball team fell in three sets to No. 17 MIT Wednesday evening in a non-conference matchup at the Muldoon Center.

With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 4-5, while the Engineers improved to 5-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The opening set featured 11 tied scored and multiple lead changes throughout. Sophomore Cade Barron, senior Matthew McCloskey, and sophomore Cody Fitzpatrick combined for six kills to take a 16-12 through the midway point of the opening set. Four straight points including a kill and an ace from first-year Kenji Clark, down the stretch put the Rivier up 22-19. MIT responded late scoring four of the sets five final points to take a 1-0 match lead, 26-24.
• The Raiders remained aggressive in the second set, opening on two straight kills from junior Tyler Dickinson and Barron. The set stayed close throughout, with neither team leading by more than three. Fitzpatrick recorded a service ace to even the score at 21, but MIT answered immediately and eventually closed out the frame with back-to-back kills to earn a 25-23 set win and a 2-0 match lead.
• The Engineers carried their momentum into the third set, building an early cushion behind the service line and several kills. Rivier chipped away down the stretch with several Raiders recording kills, however MIT did not let off the gas and sealed the sweep with a 25-13 decision.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

• Barron paced the offense hitting at a .417 clips with six kills and four services aces.
• McCloskey was the kills leader for the Raiders
• First-year Shawn Laduke recorded a team-high 10 assists followed by junior Justin Barish with 9.

UP NEXT
The Raiders return to the court Friday, Jan. 30 for a non-conference matchup with VTSU-Johnson. The opening serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.