Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics
6-4,0-1EIVA
University of Charleston
7-6,2-1EIVA
Pioneers Drop EIVA Opener to Charleston in Four Sets
2/20/2026 8:58:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
Sacred Heart claims first set but Charleston uses strong serving runs to secure the match
CHARLESTON, WV. — The Sacred Heart University Men's Volleyball Team fell to the Charleston Golden Eagles in four sets on Friday night at the Wehrle Innovation Center.
Records:
Sacred Heart (6-4, 0-1 EIVA)
Charleston (7-6, 2-1 EIVA)
Top Performers:
Petr Beranek - 13 kills
Armaan Dosanjh: 30 assists
How It Happened:
Sacred Heart and Charleston traded points throughout a marathon opening set that featured 13 ties and multiple lead changes, with neither team gaining more than a brief two-point edge. Charleston leaned on the offense of Conrad Spidsø and Max Nissen to build early momentum, but the Pioneers answered behind Aleksa Mandic and Petr Beranek, who combined for several key kills to keep the score even. Aaron Johnson and Jaron Popp made their presence felt at the net midway through the set, contributing to a short SHU run that erased a deficit and brought the score to 20–20. Sacred Heart continued to side out under pressure during the closing stretch. After the teams reached a 24–24 deadlock, Mandic delivered a clutch kill to give the Pioneers set point, and Charleston followed with an attack error on the next rally, securing the opening set for Sacred Heart, 26–24.
Charleston responded in the second set. After a tight opening stretch with several ties, the Golden Eagles used a service run and back-to-back aces, to create separation and force Sacred Heart into a timeout. The Pioneers stayed within striking distance behind kills from Beranek and Mandic, while Armaan Dosanjh continued to spread the offense and Jaron Popp contributed at the net. Sacred Heart made a late push with points from Beranek and Johnson, but Charleston's balanced offense and steady serving held off the rally to secure the set, 25–18.
The third set featured 10 ties early on, with the Pioneers staying level through balanced offense from Beranek and Mandic and steady setting from Dosanjh. Jaron Popp sparked a brief Pio advantage with a service ace and strong net play, while Aaron Johnson added pressure from the service line to keep the Golden Eagles within reach. Charleston regained momentum during a decisive mid-to-late run that forced multiple Sacred Heart timeouts. Despite a late push that included a Johnson service ace and a kill from Zach Flynn, Charleston maintained their edge down the stretch and closed out the set, 25–21.
Charleston closed out the match with a decisive fourth-set performance, pulling away early and maintaining control. Sacred Heart found points from Beranek and Mandic, but service errors and Charleston's consistent side-out play prevented any sustained run as the Golden Eagles secured the set, 25–15.
Of Note:
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Petr Beranek had a team-high 13 kills.
Up Next:
Sacred Heart will face the Golden Eagles again in the series finale on Saturday, February 21st at 2:00 pm in the Wehrle Innovation Center.
