MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University men's volleyball team took on a pair of tough opponents but came up on the short end versus New Jersey University and undefeated King's College in a tri-match in Baldwin Gym on Saturday.
 
The Rangers (6-6) took the opening set from New Jersey City (6-4), but the Gothic Knights came back to win the final three to win 15-25, 25-21, 25-18, 25-14. Drew was close in each set versus King's (15-0) but the Monarchs prevailed 25-21, 25-22, 25-22.
 
Drew was in control for the entire opening set against NJCU after starting on a 7-2 run, which was capped by three straight aces from sophomore Jacob Sledz. The Rangers would lead by at least three and as much nine the rest of the way.
 
The Gothic Knights jumped to a 16-10 lead in the second set, only to see Drew rally with a late 4-0 run to pull within one (22-21). But the New Jersey City ended the set with three straight points.
 
The Rangers outscored the Knights 12-8 to start the third set, but that's when New Jersey City answered with a 14-3 run to break it open. NJCU opened the fourth set on a 6-0 run, but after Drew rallied to within three points (17-14), the visitors outscored the Rangers 7-1 to clinch the match.
 
Sophomore Ephraim Smith led Drew versus New Jersey City with 14 kills, 10 digs, and five blocks while posting his first career double-double. Sledz added nine kills, four aces, and seven digs while junior Omarf Ortega-Reyes contributed 31 assists and 11 digs. Sophomore C.J. Addeo registered five blocks.
 
After King's defeated New Jersey City 3-2 in the middle match of the day, the Monarchs led 20-14 in the opening set versus Drew before the Rangers rallied late. The Blue and Green used a 7-1 run to pull even at 21 apiece, but King's closed the match on a 4-0 spurt.
 
The Rangers led most of the way in the second set, with their largest lead coming at 14-10. Drew still led when it was 19-17, but King's took the lead for good following a 4-0 surge.
 
Drew continued to go toe-toe with the Monarchs in the final set and led 8-6 early on. Even after King's opened up a nine-point lead, the Rangers refused to go away, using a late 12-3 run to make it a two-point match (24-22) before the visitors won the final point
 
Smith also led the Rangers versus King's, throwing down a career-high 18 kills to go with seven digs and three aces. Sledz posted eight kills and six digs while Ortega-Reyes handed out 33 assists and served up three aces. Sophomore Bryan Do contributed with nine digs.
 
Drew concludes its five-match homestand on Tuesday, when it takes on Ramapo College at 7 p.m.