SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College men's volleyball team fell to Sacred Heart University by a score of 25-19, 17-25, 18-25, 20-25 on Tuesday, February 7.

AIC fell to 1-10 with the setback.

The teams traded four-point and two-point runs tto open the match, and the first set was even through 12-12 before AIC started to pull away with eight of ten points including two kills by Pedro Panelli and an ace by Robert Santana. However, the Pioneers clawed back with a four-point run of their own before Alejandro Miranda dashed their hopes with a kill and two aces. John Rivera Ortiz delivered the final kill to give AIC the opening set.

Much like the first, the score was 10-10 early in the second when the Pioneers made a move. Two four-point runs gave the guests a 20-13 lead, and another three-point push ultimately put the set out of reach, as the Pioneers took it 25-17.

The third had an unorthodox start, as Sacred Heart's bench was carded for not submitting the proper lineup, and the impact trickled into play as the team was called out of rotation three times. Nonetheless, the Pioneers built an early 11-8 lead and managed to hold AIC off despite a few short runs. Up 19-17, they notched four points in a row and five of six to go up 2-1.

The Yellow Jackets had their backs to the wall, and batled even with the Pioneers through most of the set. There were ten tied scores through 17-17, but the Pioneers began to tilt play in their favor with a block, and three more down the stretch made all the difference as they took the set 25-20 to win the match.

Rivera Ortiz led AIC with 12 kills, while Miranda landed 10 and Santana eight. Michael Maldonado dished 31 assists, while Fabian Lugo came up with a dozen digs. 

The team returns to action Friday, February 10 against King's College at 6:30 p.m. at the Butova Gym.