FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team fell at home in five sets Friday evening despite a late comeback attempt against Harvard.
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 0-6
Harvard: 1-2
 
Top Performers:
Patrick Mucherino: 13 kills, 3 blocks, 2 aces, 2 assists 4 digs
Carlos Santa Cruz: 12 kills, 2 aces, 2 blocks, 5 digs
Jaron Popp: 6 kills, 4 blocks
 
How It Happened:
In the first set, the Pioneers were unable to catch the Crimson after it built an early lead. SHU did finish the frame with an 11-10 advantage in kills. The Pioneers struggled with errors resulting in a 25-19 setback.
 
The Pioneers battled the Crimson with back-and-forth play in the second set. After trailing by three, the Pios went on a 5-2 run to take a 23-22 lead but was unable to secure the win, falling 25-23. 
 
Carlos Santa Cruz opened the third with back-to-back kills to start the Pioneers' momentum. SHU kept hitting the ball well towards the end of the set to keep the momentum going. The Pioneers tallied 13 kills to take the third set 25-23.
 
After being tied at 13 in the fourth, the Pioneers went on a 9-4 run with kills from Santa Cruz and Jaron Popp to seal their lead. Sacred Heart took the match to five after winning the fourth 25-19.
 
Despite their third and fourth set wins, the Pioneers were unable to comeback off an early Crimson run propelled the visitors to a match-winning 15-9 victory in the fifth.
 
Patrick Mucherino led the Pioneer offense Saturday with 13 kills. Santa Cruz was right behind him in kills with 12. The Pioneers combined for 19 blocks with Popp and Dylan McClung each tallying four. At setter, Teddy Payne secured 38 assists.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers return home Wednesday Jan. 31^st, to face St. Thomas Aquinas at 7:00 p.m.