NEWARK, N.J. - The seventh-ranked Stevenson men's volleyball team recorded 21 attack errors and a .124 hitting percentage as the Mustangs dropped their first Continental Volleyball Conference at No. 5 Rutgers-Newark Friday evening at The Golden Dome Arena.

The Mustangs (22-7, 10-0 CVC) entered the match having dropped just one set through 10 conference matches before being swept, 25-18, 25-18, 25-20. It was also just the second time the team had been swept as four of its other five losses came in five sets.

It was the fifth time the Mustangs have hit under .200 this season with the team going 2-5 in those games. It was also just the second time the team has not recorded a service ace. The only other time was in a sweep over Medaille in January.

Stevenson, who averages over 12 kills per set, recorded just eight in the opening set while totaling 11 errors for a -.097 hitting percentage.

The Mustangs jumped out to a 4-1 lead but the Scarlet Raiders (20-2, 8-2 CVC) responded with a 9-5 run to take its first lead of the set, one they would not relinquish. Five of those nine points for Rutgers-Newark came on attack errors by Stevenson.

The teams traded points early in the second set, but the hosts broke a 10-10 tie with 5-1 run, including three straight points. The Mustangs would get back within two following a kill by senior Kyle Pottieger, but the Scarlet Raiders won nine of the final 13 points.

Trailing 11-7 in the third set, Stevenson rallied to tie the game at 16-16 but back-to-back errors by the Mustangs sparked a 7-2 run by the hosts.

Pottieger finished with a team-high eight kills while adding three digs and two block assists. Freshman Landon Shorts totaled seven kills, four digs while junior Nate Ellis added six kills and three block assists.

Cody Chidsey paced the Scarlet Raiders with a game-high 10 kills on 11 swings, four block assists and three digs.

Stevenson can clinch the number one seed in the upcoming CVC tournament with a win in the season finale versus Eastern Mennonite. The Mustangs host the Royals on Wednesday, March 30 on senior night beginning at 7:00 p.m.