FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team secured the comeback victory over Northeast Conference (NEC) opponent D'Youville Saturday evening by a final score of 3-1.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 6-7, 1-1 NEC
D'Youville: 5-3, 0-3 NEC

Top Performers:
Patrick Mucherino: 17 kills (.343), 3 solo blocks, 5 digs, 20 points
Carlos Santa Cruz: 15 kills (.500), 3 assists, 3 aces, 19 points
Teddy Payne: 38 assists, 6 digs
Cole Younger: 12 digs, 5 assists

How It Happened:
After being tied at five in the first, the Saints went on an 8-2 run, securing seven crucial kills. The Pioneers battled to within two but could not close the gap, leading to a 25-22 loss for SHU.

The second set featured more even play from both teams, but two kills from Jack Chow and Carlos Santa Cruz propelled SHU to a 6-2 run for a five-point lead. The Saints came within one, but a kill from Patrick Mucherino secured the 25-23 win for the Pioneers.

SHU had an early lead in the third, winning seven of the first 10 points. Despite having one more kill, the Pioneers out-hit the Saints .450 to .207 and secured three aces. SHU took the third 25-20.

D'Youville gained an early lead but could not withstand it as the Pios responded with Mucherino and Dylan McClung kills. The set remained close with back-and-forth play until the Pioneers pulled away following a few Saint errors and a handful of kills to take the fourth, 25-21.

Patrick Mucherino led the team with 15 kills, three solo blocks, and 20 points. Carlos Santa Cruz was right behind Mucherino with 15 kills and three aces to go along with a .500 hitting percentage. Defensively leading the team was Cole Younger, who had 12 digs and five assists. At setter, Teddy Payne totaled 38 assists and six digs.

Up Next:

Sacred Heart is back in action Friday, Feb. 23, at 7:00 p.m. to face Saint Francis at the Pitt Center.