MADISON, N.J. – The Drew University men's volleyball team opened the day with a 3-0 victory over Cairn University and came away with a split at a home tri-match on Saturday in Baldwin Gym.
 
The Rangers defeated the Highlanders by scores of 25-16, 25-16, 25-21 before closing the day with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-19, 25-13) loss to No. 7-ranked St. John Fisher University.
 
Against Cairn, sophomore Destan Llolla and junior Jacob Sledz led the way with eight kills apiece for the Rangers, who hit .305 versus Cairn, while junior Ephraim Smith posted seven kills and three blocks. Sophomore Andrew DuHaime threw down seven kills, and senior Omarf Ortega-Reyes handed out 16 assists. Sophomore Barend Oostdam notched four aces while junior Bryan Do contributed nine digs.
 
The Rangers broke out to a 13-6 lead versus Cairn in the opening set and led by at least five the rest of the way. Drew used a quick start again in the second set, outscoring the Highlanders 8-1 to start the period. The Highlanders drew to within 15-13, but the Rangers answered with a decisive 7-0 run to pull away.
 
The final set was a nip-and-tuck affair early the entire way. Drew led just 20-18 before a 3-0 spurt – which included a pair of kills from Ortega-Reyes – opened up some breathing room. Llolla ended the match with a kill.
 
The Rangers were facing their third nationally-ranked opponent of the season in St. John Fisher, which entered the day with an 11-1 record. Smith led the way with eight kills while Llolla finished with six kills. Ortega-Reyes distributed 15 assists.
 
Drew kept it close early versus the Cardinals and trailed just 12-10. But St. John Fisher scored the next three points and the Rangers were unable to get closer than four down the stretch.
 
In the second set, it was a 5-5 game after an assist block from junior C.J. Addeo and Ortega-Reyes, but shortly thereafter the Cardinals embarked on a 9-2 run to open up a 15-8 lead. The Rangers answered with a 4-1 surge to pull within four, but that's as close as they would get.
 
St. John Fisher took control early in the final set, racing out to an 8-1 lead. After Drew came back with a 4-1 spurt to make it 9-5, the Cards used a 12-4 run to break away.
 
The Rangers continue their season on Wednesday, when they visit Kean University at 7 p.m.