GLENSIDE, Pa. – Playing for the first time in a week, the Drew University men's volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision at Arcadia University in the inaugural matchup between the two teams.
 
The Knights (15-7), undefeated in the Middle Atlantic Conference at 5-0, won the opening set 25-22 before winning each of the next two sets 25-19.
 
Sophomore Ephraim Smith posted eight kills, five digs, and three blocks while freshman Tynoah Ehia also threw down eight kills for the Rangers (7-15). Sophomore Jacob Sledz totaled six kills and five digs while classmate Huriel Perez passed out 24 assists.
 
Owen Heft led Arcadia with 14 kills.
 
Drew trailed 14-12 in the opening set but rallied with a 4-0 surge to assume the lead. Smith kicked off the spurt before Ehia threw down back-to-back kills, putting the Rangers up 16-14. But that's when Arcadia answered with a 9-3 run and held on to capture the opener.
 
The second set was close early on, and it was tied 7-7 before Arcadia broke it open with a 9-0 run.
 
In the final set, the Knights outscored Drew 7-0 to start the set, but the Rangers stormed back with a 5-0 run to pull within two. Drew would tie the match on two occasions, the last coming at 11-11, before Arcadia pulled away with a 6-1 run.
 
The Rangers return to the court on Saturday, when they take on Lehman College at 10 a.m. and Eastern University at noon in a tri-match at Lehman.