FLORIDA -- The Life University men's volleyball team dropped its first pair of AAC matches this weekend, falling to Webber Friday night 3-1 before narrowly conceding a hard-fought 5-set battle with Warner.

After falling to Webber 3-1, the match against Warner was a thrilling five-set Saturday morning affair. The narrow defeat against the Royals began with two slim wins in the first two sets, winning both of the opening frames by a 25-23 scoreline.

The Running Eagles got off to a hot start in the Saturday morning contest, claiming a 16-12 lead and forcing Warner to take a timeout. A quick 4-0 run later in the set saw the Running Eagles take a late lead, 22-18, but a rally by Warner then pulled the Royals back to a 22-all tie. A David Barcan kill followed by a Nefty Vigo service ace moved the set to 24-22 before a WU service error finished the set.

The second set was another back-and-forth affair before the Running Eagles again broke free to gain the favorable 2-0 set lead. The set ended on a service error from the Royals.

After winning the first two sets, the Running Eagles struggled to find their footing throughout the following sets forcing a fifth and final set. In the final race to 15, the Toppers held the advantage throughout. The Running Eagles fought back to tie the match eight separate times in the final set but the men were unable to gain a lead, falling 15-12 in the final set.

Overall, the Running Eagles were led in the attack by Ryan Ollie and David Barcan. Nifty Vigo recorded a new season high with 41 assists in the lost.

Up next, the Running Eagles travel to Morehouse College for a non-conference contest.