Sacred Heart
6-8,0-2EIVA
Merrimack College
6-10,0-0DI Independent
Men's Volleyball Falls to Merrimack in Five Sets
3/7/2026 3:21:00 PM | Men's Volleyball
NORTH ANDOVER, MASS — The Sacred Heart University Men's Volleyball Team fell to the Merrimack Warriors in five sets on Saturday afternoon at Hammel Court.
Records:
Sacred Heart (6-8, 0-2 EIVA)
Merrimack (6-9)
Top Performers:
Aleksa Mandic - 16 kills
How It Happened:
Merrimack jumped out to an early advantage in the opening set, scoring the first six points before Sacred Heart settled in. The Pioneers responded with a strong run behind kills from Jack Chow and Zach Flynn to take a 14–12 lead. Sacred Heart continued to hold the edge midway through the set, but Merrimack answered with a late surge highlighted by a pair of service aces from Blake Taschner. Despite a late push by the Pioneers to close within one, the Warriors secured the set 25–23.
In the second set, Merrimack again built an early cushion with several strong serving runs from Reece Lindstrom. Sacred Heart worked to chip away at the deficit, getting contributions from Aaron Johnson, Carter Lyons, and Connor Monroe late in the frame. The Pioneers cut the margin to four late in the set, but Merrimack maintained control and closed it out 25–21 to take a 2–0 match lead.
Sacred Heart responded emphatically in the third set. Aleksa Mandic sparked the Pioneers with a dominant service run that included multiple aces as Sacred Heart raced out to a 4–0 lead. The momentum continued with kills from Petr Beranek and Lyons, while Monroe added a service ace during a strong mid-set stretch. The Pioneers maintained their advantage throughout the set and finished it off 25–19 to extend the match.
The fourth set remained competitive early before Sacred Heart pulled away behind a balanced offensive effort. Mandic and Beranek continued to lead the attack, while Johnson and Lyons contributed key kills as the Pioneers built a multi-point lead midway through the frame. Sacred Heart held off a late Merrimack push and closed the set 25–21 to force a decisive fifth set.
In the final set, Sacred Heart once again started strong as Mandic delivered a service ace and combined with Beranek for early points to give the Pioneers a quick lead. Merrimack answered to even the score before the teams traded points down the stretch. Sacred Heart held a late advantage, but the Warriors responded with a closing run to secure the fifth set.
Of Note:
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Mandic had a team-high 16 kills.
Up Next:
Sacred Heart will face the Merrimack College Warriors again on March 14th at 1pm in the Pitt Center.
