NAPERVILLE, Ill. – Mount Union's men's volleyball team lost in three sets to nationally ranked No. 6 North Central (Ill.) 24-26, 13-25 and 18-25 on Saturday afternoon.

The Purple Raiders (1-6) were led by junior Andrew Cross (St. Louis, Mo. / St. Louis University High) who had nine kills on the day. Senior Sam Matonis (Macedonia / Walsh Jesuit) finished the day with six kills.

Freshman Will Heeney (Hudson / Walsh Jesuit) finished with a team high 14 assists, while senior Steven Grenier (Hawthorn Woods, Ill. / Lake Zurich) had a game-high nine digs.

The first set saw three lead changes while being tied eight times. Mount Union jumped out to a 4-2 lead; the Raiders would be able to hold onto their lead until a 6-2 run gave the Cardinals a 12-10 lead. Mount Union was never able to regain the lead for the remainder of the set, but they were able to tie the set at 24, but North Central would go on to take the next two points to take set one.

Set two saw the Cardinals jump out to a 13-6 lead. The Raiders were never able to get closer than six as North Central would go on to take set two 25-13.

North Central jumped out to another early lead in the third set, taking a 15-6 lead. The Raiders would go on a 7-2 run later in the set to cut the Cardinal lead to 23-18 before North Central would score the final two points to take set three 25-18.

The Raiders return home next as they take on Penn State Behrend (Pa.) on Tuesday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex in Alliance.