OWINGS MILLS, Md. - Led by 19 kills from senior Kyle Wisner and 14 from sophomore Nate Ellis, both career-highs, the Stevenson men's volleyball team totaled a season-best 64 kills, but after rallying from a two-set deficit, the Mustangs fell to Rutgers-Newark Friday at Owings Mills Gymnasium, 25-22, 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 15-12.

Stevenson (11-9, 4-2 CVC), who had won three-straight at home and seven of its last 10 overall, fell to 0-4 in five-set matches this season.

Wisner and Ellis combined for over half of the team's kills while posting a combined .328 hitting percentage and nine block assists. Junior Kyle Pottieger added 12 kills and a team-high 13 digs.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the opening set before 10-4 run by the Scarlet Raiders gave them an 11-7 advantage. Rutgers-Newark would take its largest lead at 23-18 and won the set on a kill by Travis Mintzer after Stevenson had pulled within two at 24-22.

The Mustangs also took an early lead in the second set at 4-1, but once again, the Scarlet Raiders used a 10-1 run to take an 11-5 advantage that they would not relinquish. A quick 3-0 spurt by Stevenson pulled the team within two at 18-16, but that would be as close as it would get.

Cody Chidsey led Rutgers-Newark with five kills and had 10 with a .444 hitting percentage as his team took a 2-0 lead.

Facing a sweep, the Mustangs turned up the offense in the third set, totaling a match-high 16 kills, including 11 from Wisner and Ellis who posted a .467 hitting percentage. Stevenson fell beihind 4-1 before tying the match at 11-11. Kills by Wisner, Pottieger, junior Patrick Schuyler and freshman Alex Klunk keyed a quick 5-1 burst that gave the team its largest lead at 17-13.

The Scarlet Raiders (13-7, 6-1 CVC), who were receiving votes in this week's AVCA Division III Top 15 Poll, pulled within one at 20-19, but the Mustangs scored five of the final seven points, including the game-winner on a service ace by Wisner.

The fourth set was Stevenson's best offensive production of the night as the team totaled 15 kills and a .344 hitting percentage. It was also the most competitive as it featured six ties and three lead changes.

Led by three kills from sophomore Michael Fehrs and capped by two from Ellis, the Mustangs used a 9-4 run to take their largest lead at 22-16. However, five consecutive errors by Stevenson, including three attack, one service and reception, allowed Rutgers-Newark to pull within one at 22-21.

Fortunately, a kill by Pottieger and back-to-back attack errors by the Scarlet Raiders gave the Mustangs the win and tied the match at 2-2.

In the deciding fifth set, Rutgers-Newark totaled nine kills, a .350 hitting percentage and six block assists to fight off five ties and even its record in five-set matches to 2-2 this season.

Senior David Moler finished with three kills, seven digs and a season-high 57 assists, including the 4,000th of his career. Already the school-record holder for assists, he now has 4,021 in 113 career matches.

Chidsey totaled 27 kills and a blistering .600 hitting percentage for the Scarlet Raiders while adding seven total blocks. Nick Kuti had 14 kills and seven total blocks while Kevin McCandless totaled 62 assists and a match-high 14 digs.

Stevenson returns to action next Wednesday, March 11 when it hosts a non-conference contest versus Lancaster Bible on senior night beginning at 7:00 p.m. Prior to the match, the Mustangs will honor their four seniors in Moler, Wisner, Scott Morantz and Wes Richardson.