TEANECK, N.J. – The Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team defeats FDU Friday night in a five-set thriller, 4-1. Sophomore Aleksa Mandic let the Pios with 20 kills.
 
Records:
SHU: 1-0 (EIVA 0-0)
FDU: 1-1 (NEC 0-0)
 
Top Performers:
Aleksa Manic: 20 kills, 6 digs, 4 assists, 2 aces
Jaron Popp: 16 kills, 2.5 blocks, 5 digs
Austin Buchanan: 43 assists, 4 kills, 2.5 blocks, 5 digs
 
How It Happened:
In the first set the Pioneers and Knights battled through six early ties as both teams struggled to get the ball over and in at the service line.
 
FDU then when on an 8-4 run to take the set to the media timeout. The Pioneers could not come back from the deficit and ultimately fell 25-17.
 
FDU took an early five-point lead in the second to force a SHU timeout. 
 
The Pioneers gained some momentum with a kill from Aleksa Mandic, ace from Ken Naples and solo block from Austin Buchanan to come within one.
 
Momentum shifted back and forth as FDU and SHU each secured 5-0 runs. 
 
A solo block from Aaron Johnson tied the second set up at 21. Mandic secured a kill to secure the SHU set point. After trading set point with the Knights, Mandic secured the set for the Pios with a kill and an ace.
 
FDU went on a 10-4 run in the third set and the Pioneers were unable respond falling 25-19.
 
Three consecutive kills from Jaron Popp gave SHU a 14-10 advantage over the Knights in the fourth. FDU quickly responded with a four-point run.
 
The teams continued to battle through the rest of the set but two kills from Popp gave SHU the advantage for set point. A kill from Naples made it a five-set match.
 
FDU took an early 7-3 lead in the fifth, but the Pios responded with a 6-1 run to take the 9-8 lead. The teams continued to go back and forth but a kill from Popp secured the 15-13 win.
 
Up Next:
The Pioneers will host AIC Tuesday, January 21^st, for their home opener at 8:00 p.m. in the Pitt Center.