By Nick Porter

BRONX, N.Y. – The Southern Virginia University men's volleyball team narrowly dropped a single set Friday in a 2-0 afternoon in a tri-match at Lehman College, improving to 4-4 on the season.

In the first match the Knights topped host Lehman College (0-3) with a 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-20, 25-16). Alma Ray led the team with six kills while Kaipo Tagaloa recorded 14 assists and four digs. Avery Najarian and Clayton Fontano each had a trio of blocks.

Southern Virginia faced off against future Continental Volleyball Conference opponent Rutgers-Newark during the second match of the night, and earned a 3-1 victory over the Scarlet Raiders.

The Knights one the first set 25-23 before narrowly falling in the second, 24-26. They bounced back during the third set to win 26-24 and seal the victory 25-20 in the fourth game.

Paul Clark led all Knights with 14 kills. Daniel Aina recorded a team-high 10 digs with 12 kills. Tagaloa had a career-high 40 assists. 

The four-match weekend continues on Saturday as the Knights play Elmira College and Marian University at Stevenson University. Matches are at 2 and 4 p.m. in Owings Mills, Maryland.