MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University men's volleyball team opened its 2024 season on the right foot, sweeping cross-town rival Saint Elizabeth University 3-0 Friday evening in front of a boisterous crowd at Baldwin Gym.
 
The Rangers won by scores of 25-13, 25-16, 25-16 to give Head Coach Julian Diaz a victory in his Drew debut.
 
Sophomore Andrew DuHaime enjoyed a strong showing for the Rangers in his first match at Drew, posting eight kills and no errors on 12 swings for a .667 hitting performance. He also served up five of Drew's 13 aces and threw in four digs for good measure.
 
Sophomore Destan Llolla added six kills and a pair of aces in his Ranger debut while senior Omarf Ortega-Reyes dished out 17 assists. Junior Huriel Perez distributed nine assists and classmate Bryan Do scooped five digs.
 
Kodi Peters led the Eagles with six kills.
 
The Rangers trailed once on the evening, when Saint Elizabeth scored the first point of the second set.
 
The opening set was a tight affair in the early going and the Rangers led just 7-6 before they broke it open with a 11-3 run, capped by consecutive aces from junior Jacob Sledz. Drew hit a red-hot .562 on 11 kills and only two errors on 16 attempts for a .562 hitting performance in the first game.
 
The second set unfolded in a similar fashion, and a 5-1 spurt gave the Rangers some breathing room at 13-6. The Eagles were unable to get closer than seven the rest of the way. The Rangers hit an impressive .409 (11 kills and two errors on 22 attempts) in the middle set.
 
Drew took control from the start in the final set, outscoring Saint Elizabeth 6-2 to open the period. The Eagles came back to make it 7-5 and still trailed just 16-12 before Drew ended the match on a 9-4 run.
 
The Rangers pick up their schedule on Saturday, when they visit No. 14 Messiah University at 1 p.m.