MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set, but Misericordia University held off the comeback and handed the Rangers a 3-2 setback in their season opener Tuesday evening in Baldwin Gym.
 
The Cougars won the opening sets 25-19 and 25-18 before Drew rallied with 25-23 and 25-22 victories to even things up. Misericordia won the fifth set 15-8.
 
Sophomore Ephraim Smith led the Rangers with a career-high 17 kills while making just four errors on 38 attempts for a .342 hitting performance. Junior Omarf Ortega-Reyes added eight kills and 36 assists while freshman Jason Barbosa also contributed eight kills. Sophomore Jacob Sledz totaled seven kills and 15 digs, and classmate C.J. Addeo threw down five blocks.
 
Anthony DePalma paced the Cougars (2-1) with 18 kills.
 
The opening set was close for most the way, and Misericordia led just 19-18 before closing on a 6-1 run. Ortega-Reyes posted four of his kills during the period.
 
The second stanza followed a similar script, as the visitors held just a 16-15 lead before opening up some breathing room with a 5-0 spurt.
 
The third set was close the entire way, as neither side led by more than three. It was tied 23-23 when Drew called a timeout, then scored the last two points on a kill from freshman Tynoah Ehia and a Misericordia attack error. Smith carried the Rangers in the set, when he fired up eight of his kills.
 
The nailbiter continued in the fourth set, when once again three proved to be the largest lead. With the score tied 14-14, the Rangers opened up a three-point advantage following kills from Smith, Ortega-Reyes, and Sledz. Misericordia answered with the next three points to tie it at 17-all, but after a Cougar attack error and service error Drew would lead the rest of the way. With the Rangers holding a 24-22 edge, Smith closed the set with a kill, giving him eight for the second consecutive set.
 
In the fifth and final set, Misericordia led just 8-7 when the teams switched sides before closing the match on a 7-1 run. Benjamin Clendening posted four kills during the run and six in the period.
 
The Rangers returns to action on Saturday, when they travel to Bard for a tri-match. Drew faces Bard at 11 a.m. and Emmanuel at 1 p.m.