Union, N.J. – The Marymount men's volleyball team stumbled a bit on its recent road trip to New Jersey, falling to three formidable opponents in RV Rutgers-Newark, No. 8 Rivier, and No. 6 Kean.

The Saints slip to 2-6 on the season and 0-1 in CVC action with the losses.

RV Rutgers-Newark 3, Marymount (Va.) 0
In the weekend opener on Friday, Marymount squared off with conference counterpart Rutgers-Newark, falling 3-0 (18-25, 21-25, 18-25) in the twilight tilt.

TJ Wiechecki continued his strong performance at the net, smacking ten kills and two blocks in the three-set match.  Albert Johannson and Tomasz Ksiazkiewicz added seven and five kills, respectively, while also collecting two blocks apiece. 

Erich Bratke rang up 21 assists in the effort. 

The second set proved the most competitive, with the Saints mounting several three-point runs to remain relevant and knot the score multiple times.  With the score tied at 19-19, the Raiders used back-to-back kills to swipe and stretch a two-point advantage. 

Wiechecki responded with a kill to cut the margin to one, 21-20, but in the end, the Saints could not solve the host. Rutgers-Newark used a timely Marymount error, a service ace, and a definitive kill to round out the set and gain momentum enough to sail through the third and final set.

#8 Rivier 3, Marymount (Va.) 0
The Saints played No. 8 Rivier extremely well on Saturday morning, despite the 3-0 final (22-25, 22-25, 21-25).

Wiechecki and Johannson again came alive with the hot hands for the Saints, smacking nine kills apiece in the morning match-up.  Ksiazkiewicz added seven kills and a .316 hitting percentage.

Bratke chipped in 30 assists, while libero Jordan Pawlicki registered a match-high seven digs.

While the first two sets saw Marymount overcome early deficits and finish strong, the third set proved quite the point-for-point affair.  Through the to-and-fro, the Saints battled the Raiders to a 21-21 deadlock, but a four-point rally from Rivier turned Marymount away and completed the shut-out.

#6 Kean 3, Marymount (Va.) 0
The final match in its New Jersey road swing, the Saints fell in similar fashion to No. 6 Kean, dropping a 3-0 decision (15-25, 23-25, 24-26) to the undefeated foe.

Graham Clark came alive for Marymount in the weekend finale, smacking eight kills for a .500 hitting percentage to pace the offense.  Johannson and Ksiazkiewicz also chipped in eight kills apiece. 

Bratke continued his steady performance from the setter position, doling out 27 assists in his third start of the weekend.  Pawlicki registered another match-high with his eight digs on the day, while Ksiazkiewicz minded the net tactfully with his match-high five blocks. 

The third set saw the Saints truly test the Cougars, building and maintaining a narrow lead thanks to a four-point run early in the effort.  The 10-6 Marymount advantage eventually evaporated as Kean rallied and returned the four-point stretch.

From there, a point-for-point battle persisted, with the Saints denying the Cougars first match-point and knotting the score at 24-24.  Unfortunately, Marymount would not strike again.

The Saints return to action on Friday as it travels to Thiel for a CVC battle.  First serve is slated for 7 p.m.