CHESTER, Pa. – Despite a tough battle, the Pride fell to the Cairn University Highlanders three sets to zero. The season series between the two teams was a split, with Widener defeating the Highlanders 3-1 on Feb. 2.

The Pride are 10-7 in the regular season and 0-2 against MAC opponents.

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST CAIRN
Dylan Beer led the Pride on Thursday with 11 kills. Benjamin Heist was the primary playmaker, as he got 27 assists. Widener recorded a .130 hitting percentage.

The Pride got on the board first, courtesy of a Cairn attack error. Although the Highlanders would go on a 4-0 run, a kill from Josh Matchett ended the streak. With the Pride down 10-4, they earned two points back with a Cairn service error and a Beer kill. A few rallies later, while trying to avoid a larger deficit, Widener scored three consecutive times off two kills and a bad set from the Highlanders. Both sides traded scores until a kill from Ethan Cox was the final Widener point of the set. Cairn used another 4-0 push to seal the win. The Highlanders took the first set 25-16.

The Pride began the second set with a kill by Cox. Cairn once again showed their offensive might, scoring four straight times. However, Widener received kills from Michael Martino and Beer to cut into the deficit. Both teams would proceed to exchange 5-0 runs to get the score to 9-8 Cairn. Widener's 5-0 run included four straight attack errors by the Highlanders. As Widener channeled a rhythm on offense, they were able to tie the score at 13. The Highlanders, though, jumped out to a lead before the Pride could take advantage. A 5-1 push gave them an 18-14 lead. As the Pride recorded more kills, the set was anyone's to take. This set went to "overtime," as 25 points was not enough to claim a win. Tied at 24, the Highlanders scored the final two points. Cairn won the second set 26-24. They were leading two sets to zero.

As the Pride entered the third set, the Highlanders quickly got the lead up to 4-0. Widener's first two points of the set came from a Matchett kill and a Cairn attack error. They would cut the deficit to one before Cairn increased their lead back to four. Needing an offensive boost, Beer logged three of his 11 kills to keep the Highlanders from another push. But, up 12-8, Cairn went on a 8-1 run to go up 19-9. This did not deter the Pride. They answered with three points of their own, which included a Heist service ace. Although it was a back-and-forth affair toward the end, Cairn had just enough to pull away. The Highlanders walked away with a 25-17 win in the third set. They had swept the match.

UP NEXT
The Pride will take a road trip on Saturday to Springfield, Ma. for a tri-match. They will take on the American International College Yellow Jackets at 11:00 a.m. First serve for the second match, against the Monroe College Mustangs, is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.