SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College men's volleyball team dropped its 2026 home opener 13-25, 22-25, 21-25 to Sacred Heart University on Friday, January 23.

AIC is now 0-4 on the season.

The Pioneers came out strong in the first set and used a blistering offense, along with taking advantage of miscues by the Yellow Jackets, to win by a wide margin. Sacred Heart hit .545 in the frame, and 10 AIC errors provided the balance of the scoring.

The Yellow Jackets adjusted their lineup in the second set, bringing experience onto the floor in Aidan Miller and Robert Santana, and the change paid off in a far more competitive second set. Play was tightly contested, with Emil Zhmaidziak landing five kills and three each by Santana, Jamilson Depina Almeida, and Dymittry Terra, but the Pioneers just edged out the Yellow Jackets 25-22.

In the third, both offenses scuffled somewhat, with a combined 13 service errors. Sacred Heart had slightly cleaner play, and was able to take the set and the match with the win.

Almeida led AIC with 10 kills, with Zhmaidziak just behind him at nine. Miller dished 24 assists in his two sets, while Fabian Lugo recorded six digs and was 26-for-26 on serve receive. 

The Yellow Jackets will connect with the Pioneers again on Tuesday, January 27 at 8:00 p.m. in Fairfield, Connecticut.