University of Mount Olive fell to Pfeiffer University 25-21, 25-18, 25-23 in Conference Carolinas men's volleyball Tuesday at Misenheimer, N.C. Bret Rutledge led the Trojans with seven kills.
Mount Olive (8-8 overall, 7-4 Conference Carolinas) overcame a four-point deficit in the third set as a block by Rutledge and Mike Mann gave the Trojans a 19-17 lead. Pfeiffer (11-5, 11-2) rallied to regain the lead, but kills by Rutledge and Joel Roberts tied the set 21-21. The Falcons broke the tie and led the rest of the way to keep Mount Olive from extending the match.
Mann finished with a team-high four blocks for Mount Olive, while Jeff Yasalonis recorded 27 assists.
Pfeiffer was led by Jonathan Martinez with a match-high 18 kills.
With the loss, the Trojans settle for a split against Pfeiffer in the regular season series. Mount Olive swept the Falcons in three sets in the first meeting February 18 at Kornegay Arena.
Mount Olive is idle until next Tuesday when the Trojans travel to Belmont, N.C., to take on Belmont Abbey College in a Conference Carolinas match-up. The Trojans outlasted the Crusaders in five sets in the first meeting February 12 at Kornegay Arena. Next Tuesday's match is the Trojans' final contest in a stretch of seven consecutive away matches.