ARLINGTON, Va. – The Marymount University men's volleyball team split with No. 8 Rutgers University-Newark and Misericordia University on Saturday afternoon, in a tri-match at the Converse Family Fieldhouse.

Rutgers-Newark 3, Marymount 1 (25-21, 25-15, 21-25, 25-22)

In a close first set, the Saints took an early, 9-7, lead on a block from sophomore Ervin Harrell and freshman Hayden Kerekes, but the Scarlet Raiders came back with a 5-0 run to take a 12-9 lead.

Kills from Harrell and senior Sam Safley knotted the score, 13-13, and the teams continued to trade points through the remainder of the set.

Another Harrell kill gave Marymount a late, 18-17, edge, but Rutgers-Newark finished with an 8-3 run for the win.

Marymount took another early lead in the second, off a kill from Kerekes, 6-5, but the Scarlet Raiders' next point sparked a 20-9 advantage through the rest of the set, building the 2-0 match lead.

The third set saw the Saints begin to pull away, following another close start. With the score tied, 10-10, Safley used a block and a service ace to lead a 7-2 run for Marymount, capped by a kill from sophomore Miles Olson.

Marymount continued to hold its lead, but Rugers-Newark got the score back to within three, 24-21, before Safley put down a kill to take the set.

The teams continued the theme of the match, with another close start in the fourth set. Neither team was able to pull away by more than two points, while kills from Harrell and Safley helped the Saints take a 13-12 advantage.

However, a 6-0 run for the Scarlet Raiders looked to end the match, but Marymount would not go away easy.

Safley and Harrell, each, added another kill in the late moments, while Kerekes tallied an ace to bring the Saints to within one, 22-21, but Rutgers-Newark would not give in and held on for the win.

Safley led with 15 kills, while Harrell tallied nine kills and 11 digs. Senior Joseph Zanelotti notched 35 service aces.

Marymount 3, Misericordia 0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-20)

The Saints ended the day on a strong note, earning the sweep. Three-straight kills from freshman Haden Franken, followed by an ace by classmate Grayson Andrews, helped build a 10-6 lead for the team to start the match.

Marymount stayed in control the rest of the way, despite the Cougars cutting the lead down to three, 19-16.

Franken responded with another kill and an ace, while Safley added two late kills, to grab a 1-0 lead.

Misericordia opened the second set on a 7-5 lead, but an 11-3 run for Marymount flipped the momentum. Kerekes got things going with a kill, while Safley tallied three kills and an assisted block, with Kerekes, to lead the way.

Franken capped the run with a kill, and the Saints cruised to a two-set lead, in the match.

Looking to put the match away, Marymount built a five-point lead, 14-9, as Perkins put down four kills in the opening run.

Franken added his final kill to keep the lead, 18-14, before Safley tacked on three more to help close the set for the win.

Safley led with 14 kills, while Franken tallied 11 for the first double-digit game of his career.

Zanelotti tallied 34 assists to lead the team, while sophomore Chris Manganiello paced the defense with 10 digs.

The Saints will hit the road for their next match, taking on Continental Volleyball Conference-foe Randolph-Macon College on Tuesday, March 3. The match is set for 7 p.m.