ARLINGTON, Va. -- The No. 8-ranked Marymount University men's volleyball team opened Continental Volleyball Conference (CVC) play against No. 12 Southern Virginia University in a four-set slug-fest on Wednesday night that went the way of the Knights. 

Marymount started the match with a familiar script, as the Saints earned a 25-20 win to open the tilt. The Blue and White swung at a .368 clip during the frame with nine kills. While the set was back-and-forth throughout, MU used a late three-point run to pull away. Jason Perkins and Miles Olson spurred the effort with a pair of kills, while a miscue from the Knights closed out the frame. 

Despite the strong start, the Saints' offense went through a cold snap in the second and third sets. On the opposite side of the net, the Knights tallied 25 kills across the pair of sets to steal a 2-1 lead. 

The Knights built an early lead in the final set of the evening, but the Blue and White chipped away and eventually pulled back within three at 16-13. Hayden Kerekes buried the kill to pull the Saints back into contention. As the set wore on, MU continued to stay close with kills from Raymond Tarasi and Olson, but the early damage from the visitors was too much to overcome. 

MU sported a balanced approach at the net as Ervin Harrell led the way with 10 kills, nine digs, and three blocks. Raymond Tarasi finished with nine kills, seven digs, and two blocks, while Olson added seven kills and six digs. Kerekes tallied a team-best four blocks at the net. Rookie Will Wright added eight digs at the libero spot. 

The Saints have a quick turnaround when they host Cal Lutheran University on Thursday, February 10. The match is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.