ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Trine University Men's Volleyball team fell in five sets to Mount Union this afternoon at the McPherson Academics and Athletics Complex, 3-2. Kevin Boncaro sent home a program record 32 kills and Ryan McDonald added 49 assists. Trine is now 12-7 (2-2 MCVL), Mount Union improves to 16-8 (6-0 MCVL).
 
Trine took sets one and two 25-22, and 26-24 before the Purple Raiders pulled the reverse sweep taking the final three sets 25-23, 25-16, and 15-9. Boncaro's 32 kills are the most in a single match in program history.
 
Boncaro got started right away, notching nine kills in set one, Trine hit .462 in the first frame with 16 kills. Back to back kills from Boncaro gave Trine an 8-7 lead they would not surrender. The Raiders remained in striking distance, Boncaro's onslaught never allowed the hosts to catch the Thunder, he delivered the dagger to claim the set.
 
Eight more kills from Boncaro came in set two, Trine led nearly wire to wire but never by more than six. Mount Union forced five set points before a block from Carter Steffgen and Ethan McLenon sealed the victory for Trine.
 
Boncaro stayed hot in set three with seven more kills, Trine played from behind for most of set three, A 10-4 Purple Raider lead erased by four kills from Boncaro, Steffgen add two as Trine tied things at 15. Mount Union clawed back into the lead with an 8-3 run for a 23-18 lead, Trine forced four set points before UMU claimed their first set.
 
Six kills from Boncaro and two from Steffgen and Johnson-Kuhao Ho'okano-Pelekai were not enough for the Thunder in set four. Mount Union claimed a convincing 25-16 win to force a fifth set.
 
Trine grabbed a quick 5-3 lead to start the fifth set. Five consecutive points from UMU gave the hosts an 8-5 lead as the teams switched sides. Trine narrowed the lead to one but the hosts took seven of the next nine points to take the match win.
 
Trine is on the road again next week, heading to Adrian and Olivet on Friday and Saturday.