ARLINGTON, Va. — The No. 11 Southern Virginia University men's volleyball team dropped a heartbreaking five-set thriller to No. 8 Marymount University Saturday afternoon in a Continental Volleyball Conference division matchup. 

The Knights (14-7, 6-4 CVC) stole the first set from the Saints (17-6, 8-2 CVC) 25-21 before falling in sets two and three 25-19 and 25-21. In the fourth set, Southern Virginia kept it within reach, and with the score tied at 18, the Knights went on a 7-2 run to force a deciding set. 

Despite holding the lead for most of the final set, including leading 9-5, the Saints clawed their way back, tying the set at 13, 14, 15, and 16. With the score tied at 16, Marymount scored the next two points for the match win, a split on the season. 

Paul Clark led the Knights with 15 total kills and recorded 13 digs. Nahuel Recabarren and Mark Stapley had nine and eight kills, respectively. Libero Daniel Aina led all players with 16 digs. Setter Kaipo Tagaloa notched 42 assists. 

The Knights have three games reaming on their schedule. Next up are Thiel and Rutgers-Newark on Friday and Saturday, March 30-31. Service on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m.e