ARLINGTON, Va. – The Stevenson University men's volleyball team nearly rallied from a 2-0 deficit, but ultimately succumbed 22-20 in the fifth set to Marymount (Va.) in Continental Volleyball Conference match Wednesday night at the Verizon Sports Center.  Set scores were 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 20-25, 22-20.

Stevenson (11-7, 2-2 CVC) was led by senior Nate Ellis, who hit .458 on the evening and totaled 15 kills and six blocks (one solo).  Sophomore Jason Gardner also had 15 kills, while senior Nicholas Gross had 14 kills and eight digs.  Sophomore Landon Shorts notched 13 kills, eight digs and four service aces.  Freshman Derek Tangorra posted 14 digs, while senior Kyle Johnson handed out 57 assists and registered 10 digs.

Marymount (8-3, 3-1 CVC) was led by 17 kills by TJ Wiechecki, while Eric Wiles and Graham Clark each had 11.

Stevenson trailed 13-10 in the fifth set before rattling off three straight points, a Gardner kill, an Ellis block, and a block by Ellis and Gardner to tie the deciding set 13-13.  The two teams traded the next 10 points until the guests grabbed a 19-18 lead on an Ellis kill.  Serving for match point, Stevenson was unable to put the match away at Wiechecki recorded a kill to tie the set for the ninth time.

Marymount took a 20-19 lead on an attack error, but an Ellis kill tied the set one final time at 20-20.  A Stevenson serving error and a Clark kill closed out the match.

In the first set, Stevenson led 21-19 when Marymount scored three straight points to take a 22-21 lead.  A block by Ellis and Gross tied the set 22-22 before the Saints posted the final three points of the frame.  Stevenson trailed the second set 20-15 before a 6-2 Mustang run capped by a Marymount attack error pulled the guests within one, 22-21.  Stevenson trailed 24-23 and was serving to tie the set before Wiles posted a kill to give Marymount a 2-0 lead.

Stevenson led most of the way in the third, opening a 24-18 lead on a Shorts kill, before four straight Marymount points pulled the hosts within two, 24-22.  A Shorts kill closed out the set.  In the fourth, the Mustangs again led 20-15, but were able to keep the Saints at bay, maintaining at least a four point lead to force the deciding fifth set.

The Mustangs hit .211 for the match on 20 more swings while Marymount hit .197, but Stevenson was undone by a total of 21 service errors, compared to 13 for the hosts.  Stevenson did have seven aces to three for the Saints, but Marymount had 12 blocks to Stevenson's nine.

Stevenson returns to action Friday night when it travels to No. 13 Juniata for a 7:00 CVC match.