FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team fell to Northeast Conference (NEC) opponent Daemen Friday night 3-1.
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 5-7, 0-1 NEC
Daemen: 7-2, 2-0 NEC
 
Top Performers:
Patrick Mucherino: 15 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocks, 19.5 points
Teddy Payne: 28 assists, 4 digs
Cole Younger: 9 digs, 4 assists
 
How It Happened:
Daemen scored three of the first for points to take an early lead in the opening set, before SHU fought back to tie the score at 6-6. The Pios rode that new momentum to a 9-4 run to build a 15-10 lead at the media timeout. Sacred Heart continued to pressure the Wildcats, going up by as much as 10, 24-14, before securing a 25-18 win.
 
The second set featured even play from both teams, with the Wildcats holding a slim 15-13 advantage at the media. After SHU took a 17-16 lead late with a 3-0 run, Daemen answered with its own 3-0 surge to force a Sacred Heart timeout trailing 19-17. With the 3-0 run, the Wildcats scored nine of the final 13 points to take the second 25-21.
 
The Pioneers and Wildcats battled through seven ties in the third until Daemen pulled away with a 5-3 run to take the lead. SHU came within one but fell short, 25-22.
 
Daemen took an early lead in the fourth winning seven of the first 10 points. SHU was unable to close the gap falling 25-12.
 
Patrick Mucherino led the team with 15 kills, three aces, two blocks and 19.5 points. Leading the team defensively was Cole Younger with nine digs and four assists. At setter, Teddy Payne totaled 28 assists and four digs.
 
Up Next:
Sacred Heart is back in action tomorrow night to play NEC foe D'Youville at 7 p.m. at the Pitt Center.