The Southern Virginia University men's volleyball team opened Continental Volleyball Conference play on the road this weekend, falling in a heart-breaking five-set match at division rival  No. 9 Juniata College on Friday before sweeping Thiel College 3-0 on Saturday. 

The Knights (4-3, 1-1 CVC) took an early 2-0 lead against ranked Juniata (6-5, 2-0 CVC), but fell in the third set despite leading the Eagles 20-13 and were unable to overcome the setback in the fourth and fifth sets. 

Paul Clark and Nahuel Recabarren led the Knights with 16 kills apiece, while Daniel Aina recorded a game-high 18 digs. Juniata was able to get the block up well, roofing the Knights 30 times compared to Southern Virginia's 12. 

After the 3-2 loss in Huntingdon, Pa., the Knights headed farther north to face Thiel College. With scores of 25-17, 26-24, and 25-15, the Knights registered their second sweep of the season, and first-ever Continental Volleyball Conference win. 

Argentine Nahuel Aguero led the team with eight kills, followed by Mark Stapley and Jahren Makanoa who each had seven. Setter Kaipo Tagaloa, who recorded 49 assists against Juniata, dished a team-high 20 assists at Thiel. Freshman Braden Liu saw time in two of the three sets, recording 15 assists.

The Knights will head to Eastern Mennonite University on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 7 p.m.