LORETTO, Pa. – The Merrimack College men's volleyball team's season has come to an end in the first round of the NEC postseason against FDU.
 
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 1, FDU 3
Records: Merrimack (9-16, 4-8) | FDU (12-14, 5-7)
 
How It Happened
Merrimack was looking for its first postseason win as a program, coming off a split last weekend. The Warriors got off to a hot start thanks to a couple of Yulius Melvin Brown Rudolf kills leading 5-1. FDU would wake up and go on a rally of their own to eventually take a 13-10 lead. Merrimack stayed in the first set, but seven service errors made it difficult. At 21-19, both teams would trade points going back and forth. The Warriors looked to break this trend, but it would prove to be too difficult as an FDU kill sealed the first set 25-23 in favor of the Knights. Set number two would be just as tense as the first. Logan Whitaker began to take over with 4 straight kills for Merrimack points as the Warriors led 8-6. Service errors continued to be an issue for Merrimack, as it would not only give FDU free points but also stop any of their momentum. The Warriors found themselves in a bit of trouble down 18-16. Whitaker stepped up yet again and a few FDU mistakes gave Merrimack a 24-22 lead. The Knights would rally back going on a 5-1 run to win the second set 27-25.
 
Set three was a must-win for the Warriors and they knew it, taking the lead early and never looking back. Isaiah Vogel had by far his best set, securing 5 of his 9 kills on the day. Any time the Knights attempted to go on a run Merrimack would squash it, leading by as much as 8 at one point. FDU did make things close at the end, bringing the set to 23-20, but a Matthew Motes kill and then an FDU attack error gave Merrimack the third set 25-20. In the fourth set, the Warriors found themselves down early 10-5. A 7-3 run put Merrimack back into the game and only trailing by a point. FDU responded back with a run of their own to make the lead 21-17 at the back end of the set. The Warriors knew their season was on the ropes as they battled back making the score 23-22 FDU. A kill from the Knights and then a Merrimack attack error would secure the Warrior's fate as they lost the set 25-23 and the match to FDU 3-1.
 
Notes and Numbers

• Logan Whitaker led the team in both kills (19) and aces (2)
• Reece Lindstrom had 44 assists and led the Warriors with 9 digs
• Isaiah Vogel had the highest attacking percentage of any player (.467)