Langhorne, PA- The Highlanders hosted the Bison from Gallaudet University in conference play. The Bison got the Best of the Highlanders, 3-2, in a 5 set thriller.

The first set started as a back and forth battle with each team going on mini runs to get a small lead only to lose it again, until freshman opposite hitter Justin Panaia (Jamison, PA / Dock Mennonite) gave Cairn (5-16, 2-2 United East) the momentum they needed to hold a lead as a 6-5 advantage turned into 15-9 as freshman opposite Nehemiah Clark (Ukarumpa, Papua New Guinea / Ukarumpa International School) and junior outside hitter Sam Poirier (Nogyang, South Korea / International Christian School Uijeongbu) built on the lead. Gallaudet (4-12, 1-1 United East) pushed for the comeback, getting within 3 before Cairn took off and took the set 25-18.

The second set was a stride for stride sprint until the finish line. For every kill the Bison got, Cairn would match it, with Poirier leading the way with 4 kills in the first half of the set, leading a quick 5-0 run that was later shut down as Gallaudet matched it 5-1, making the score 13-13. Senior setter Josh Adler (Levittown, PA / Neshaminy High School) set up Clark to regain the lead, but immediately afterwards, Cairn lost their footing, giving up a run to give Gallaudet the final step they needed to take the set, 25-21.

Cairn took this loss and turned it around to take a 3-1 lead in the third set, with Adler setting up Clark and then freshman middle hitter Reuben Bennett Leonard (Ankara, Turkey / Oasis International School), with the third point coming from an ace by Poirier. Their momentum quickly shifted after Gallaudet took the lead and then matched Cairn the remainder of the set. Cairn took a lifeline from Poirier as he gave Cairn the 3rd set, with the final kill making it 25-23.

Poirier opened up the fourth set off an assist by Adler, then tied it back up after the Bison went 2-0, making the score 2-2. Gallaudet found the line to take momentum and kept it as Cairn struggled to take the lead as the score turned into 9-8 and then 12-9 followed by a run to build the gap to 3. Cairn just couldn't find the passing point they needed as Gallaudet took the set 25-21, sending the match to a fifth set.

The fifth set was all Gallaudet, as a 5-2 start just built from there. Leonard tried to rally his team but his efforts were not enough as Gallaudet just had full throttle on, taking the set 15-8 and the match 3-2.

Poirier led the Highlanders in kills with 27 as Clark followed close behind adding 18. Adler had a game, having 48 assists on the night while adding 9 digs.

The Highlanders will head back on the road to Stevenson University to participate in a Tri-match with Stevenson and Penn St Schuylkill this Saturday the 7th at 3pm and 5pm in Stevenson, MD.