FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Stepping out of conference for the final time this season, the Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team dropped a pair of matches to St. Francis Brooklyn on Tuesday. The Pioneers lost 3-1 (18-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-21) in game two after falling 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-17) in the opener.

The losses dropped SHU to 1-17 on the year while the Terriers improved to 3-3.

The Pioneers looked like they shook off the match one loss by hitting .360 in the opening set of match two while holding SFBK to -.036. SHU turned a 9-8 deficit into a 14-10 lead thanks to two blocks and two SFBK errors.

Match two looked like it could be heading to a fifth set when Teddy Payne served up an ace to make it 20-19. Unfortunately, SHU couldn't capitalize on its offensive opportunities down the stretch.

Nicholas Palluzzi posted a career-high 18 kills to go along with five blocks. SHU had a 10-5 advantage in blocks.

SHU could not find its way on either side of the net in the first match. The Terriers hit .351 while limiting SHU to .125 thanks to a 32-21 advantage in digs. 

Ife Loverton and Palluzzi tied for the team lead at eight kills apiece. Loverton added a block and two aces.

Sacred Heart wraps up the regular season with a pair of matches against St. Francis, starting Friday at 7 p.m.