CINCINNATI - The MSOE men's volleyball team fell to Eastern Mennonite in a tight, five-set match before dropped a 3-0 match to No. 1 Juniata Saturday on the first day of the CVC Crossover hosted by Mount St. Joseph.

The Raiders (2-4) played the Lions (4-3) tough, alternating sets in a 25-20, 21-25, 25-12, 21-25, 16-14, loss. In the nightcap, MSOE hung with the top team in the country through three sets, 25-20, 25-20, 25-21.

Against the Eagles (10-1), the Red and White led in the first set 14-11 and still led as late as 17-6. JC took the lead and slowly pulled away down the stretch. In the second set, MSOE jumped out to a 12-7 lead, but the Eagles finished the frame on a 13-4 to jump ahead 2-0.

The Raiders started strong again in the third set, leading 13-11, midway through the period. Again Juniata overcame the deficit, this time with five-straight points, and held off MSOE to get the sweep.

The Red and White actually scored more points that Juniata, 46-44.5, and had six more kills in the match, 40-34. The difference came in efficiency as the Raiders hit just .179 compared to .413 for JC.

Junior Nick Manning led the charge with 14 kills. He was the only Raider in double-figures in the match Freshman Joe Humpal directed the offense with 32 assists and added three service aces.

Against Eastern Mennonite, MSOE hit a season-high .298 in the match. The team was efficient in each set, with the exception of the fourth when they hit -.150. Freshman Logan Baerenwald finished with a team-best 17 kills. Manning had 16 kills and sophomore Brett Herbers struck for 10.

Quentin Moore led the Royals with 17 kills and Scott Brigham notched 15. Jesse Reist added 12.

MSOE closes out the Crossover Sunday, playing Cairn.